Sergio Garcia Wins the 2017 Masters Golf Tournament

Sergio Garcia edged out Justin Rose for the title.

sergio garcia
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports/Rob Schumacher

sergio garcia

A dramatic final sequence at the 2017 Masters Golf Tournament ended with the need for sudden death. Sergio Garcia edged out Justin Rose for the title, with the prestigious green jacket being decided by just the 17th playoff in tournament history.

In search of the first major tournament win of his career — and his first Masters win in 19 starts — Garcia was faced with a steep challenge after Rose's approach on 18 left him with a makeable putt. The veteran Spaniard one-upped his English counterpart, nearly holing his approach shot, but he failed to capitalize after Rose left him a chance to win the tournament outright on the 72nd hole.

Fans in the crowd reacted accordingly when they saw Garcia squander his chance to walk away with a coveted green jacket:

Thankfully for Garcia, he redeemed himself on the very first playoff hole, and sunk a birdie putt to walk away with the 2017 Masters title. 

It was quite the afternoon in Augusta, Georgia. The two golfers traded blows back and forth with neither man willing to relent on the back nine. Garcia pulled an eagle out of his hat on hole 15 to briefly pull into the lead, only for Rose to tie him with a birdie on his own and then pass him with another on 16. But Rose would squander his lead on the 17th hole, bogeying the second-to-last hole of the tournament to put both men even heading into the final hole. 

Despite being locked in a battle in one of golf's most prestigious tournaments, Garcia and Rose were beacons of sportsmanship during their duel. They were seen acknowledging each other's accomplishments often during crunch time, and even got caught on camera high-fiving one another as they made their walk to the next hole:

Though a number of golfers were within striking distance entering the final day of The Masters, it was a two-man race for most of the day. The leaders after day three broke away from the pack, setting up for an exciting finish that could only be decided by a playoff. 

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