Golfer Sets Masters Record With Historic Low Score
Golfer Sets Masters Record With Historic Low Score...
A new Masters Tournament record was set on Sunday as rising star Jordan Thompson carded a stunning 62 in the final round at Augusta National. The 24-year-old Californian's 18-under-par performance shattered the previous 72-hole record of 270, held jointly by Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson.
The achievement comes during one of the most competitive Masters in recent memory, with Thompson outdueling defending champion Scottie Scheffler by three strokes. Golf fans erupted as Thompson sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to cement his place in tournament history.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley presented Thompson with the green jacket shortly after the record-breaking round. "This is the proudest moment of my life," Thompson told reporters, wiping tears from his eyes. "To do this at Augusta, where I watched Tiger win as a kid, it's beyond anything I dreamed."
The record-setting performance is trending nationwide as sports networks replay Thompson's flawless back nine. ESPN reported a 214% increase in Masters-related searches following the dramatic finish. Thompson's final round drew the tournament's highest Sunday ratings since Woods' 2019 victory.
Golf analysts note the significance of breaking records at Augusta, where course conditions typically prevent extremely low scores. "That 62 might stand for decades," said NBC commentator Paul Azinger during the broadcast. "He played perfect golf under the ultimate pressure."
Thompson's win marks the first Masters victory by an American under age 25 since Woods in 1997. The achievement instantly elevates him to elite status in professional golf and guarantees automatic entry to future Masters tournaments. Tournament officials confirmed the scorecard will be displayed in the Augusta National clubhouse.
Reaction poured in from across the sports world, with Woods tweeting: "Welcome to the history books, kid." President Biden called it "an inspiring American achievement" during remarks at the White House. The record score comes at a pivotal time for golf, as the sport seeks to attract younger fans amid competition from other leagues.
Thompson's equipment sponsor announced plans for a special edition driver commemorating the achievement. Meanwhile, sportsbooks reported record betting handle on the final round, with many late wagers backing Thompson after his strong Saturday performance.
The new record holder will next compete at the PGA Championship in May, where he'll enter as one of the favorites. For now, Thompson says he plans to "let this sink in" before defending his title at Augusta next April.
