“This is an important day for you,” the man said, by way of hello. “Yes, it’s Easter,” said Zach Johnson, a regular at the PGA Tour’s Bible study groups. Then he recognized the fellow he was talking to. “Mr. Becker, I’m a huge fan!” he blurted. Boris Becker smiled back wanly. As Tiger Woods was walking to his ball in the 17th fairway, Boris asked Zach how he was feeling. “My legs are numb from the knees down,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not sure they’re still attached to my body.” After Tiger failed to jar his greenside bunker shot on 17, someone said to Zach, “You’re almost home.” And now, finally, the tears started to come. He calmed himself in time to watch Tiger rip a drive on 18. Tiger had to hole the approach shot for eagle to force a playoff, and Zach broke up the room by saying what everybody else was thinking: “He’s done stranger things.” As Tiger went through his pre-shot routine, Zach buried his head in his hands. He looked up as Tiger’s approach was floating well right of the flag. Just like that, Zach had triumphed at the 71st Masters, only the second victory of his Tour career. “I honestly cannot believe this is happening,” he said. After the green jacket ceremony, I followed Zach into Butler Cabin, where his family was waiting to celebrate. When he walked through the door, his wife, Kim, squealed, “Don’t you just look so handsome in green!” Zach met his father, Dave, in the middle of the room, and they embraced for at least 20 seconds. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house—including a jaded reporter who has seen so much at the Masters but every year views the tournament through new eyes. •
MASTERS MONTAGE Top to bottom: The beloved azaleas fronting the 6th, the Masters trophy on view by the scoreboard, and Greg Norman escaping a bunker on No. 2 in 1991. SIR NICK, VICTORIOUS Three-time Masters champ Faldo chipping onto the 17th in 1990.
MEMBERS’ MEMORIES MEMBERS’ MEMORIES
Don Everett, Blackstone Country Club, Aurora, CO
In 2010, I was fortunate enough to be at the Masters on Saturday when Phil Mickelson took charge and came from behind to win the tournament. On Saturday, I left the Amen Corner, following Phil and standing on the 14th green where Phil eagled. It was his second consecutive eagle hole. I was fortunate enough to be close enough to watch the ball roll in the hole. I had just lit up a cigar. We all slapped hands and celebrated, as Phil was making the strongest move I have ever witnessed. A man who I did not recognize tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘You seem to be a Phil fan.’ I said, ‘It’s the Masters, and Phil just got his second eagle in a row. Of course I am a Phil fan.’ He said, ‘It seems that everyone is a Phil fan.’ I replied with the same response that I had just given him, ‘It’s the Masters, second eagle. It’s Phil.’ As he stood in front of me, the man said, ‘Do you think it has to do with Tiger’s problems that everyone is a Phil fan?’ A little annoyed about all of the questions, I said, ‘I think that people who are a Tiger fan will always be a Tiger fan, but if people are looking for a n ?????????e?A?????d?Q??????????????????????????????
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