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The biggest takeaways from Masters Weekend

Noah Frank | nfrank@wtop.com

April 13, 2015, 2:23 AM

Tiger’s return Tiger Woods can act disappointed by his lackluster Sunday, but the fact that he was even playing the weekend at all was something of a surprise. In his first tournament in over two months, he even played through a minor wrist injury on the back nine and finished in the top 20 (tied for 17th). He scored one more minor victory at the death of the day — with Spieth’s missed par putt at 18, he retains a share of the 72-hole record at Augusta (270, -18). (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Phil’s comeback Phil Mickelson has nothing to prove at this point in his career, but he hadn’t finished better than 17th on tour this year, and hadn’t played well at Augusta in three years, the course where he made his name. His tie for second was Mickelson’s best finish since winning his third green jacket in 2010. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Rory’s run Rory McIlroy took himself out of the running with his slow start, nearly missing the cut after struggling to a three-over mark through 27 holes. But he caught fire, playing the final 45 holes in 15 under, reminding everyone that while this was Spieth’s moment, the road to the top spot on tour goes through McIlroy. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
AP Photo/Chris Carlson
The America/Britain rivalry In the quiet style that befits his manner, Justin Rose has established himself as England’s best golfer. In nearly any other year, his -14 would have left the field in the dust. Since 2012, he has a top 10 finish at each major except, ironically, the Open Championship, including his 2013 U.S. Open title. Fellow countrymen Ian Poulter and Paul Casey both finished T-6, giving the Brits as many finishers at -9 or better as the Americans. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Spieth’s unrelenting attack When players suffer late collapses, it often comes as a result of their unwillingness to stick with the approach that got them the lead in the first place. That was never an issue for Spieth, who was rewarded for the chances he took, staying aggressive on the back nine on Sunday and never allowing his competition to get closer than three strokes back. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
The game’s power shift Perhaps the most impressive part of Spieth’s victory was that it didn’t come as a result of the established names failing to compete. Mickelson’s -14 was a better score than in two of the three times he won the event, but still wasn’t good enough. McIlroy’s -12 would have been the winning score each of the past three years. Even Woods put himself in Spieth’s rearview mirror with a Saturday run. But none of that mattered. Whether or not you’re ready to coronate him the future of the game, Spieth served notice that the present does not belong exclusively to any of the other competitors. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
The spark of the 2015 season As the first major tournament of the year, The Masters sets the tone for the PGA season. And while a battle within the four days makes for good television, a statement like the one Spieth made creates a much bigger storyline for the rest of the year. That means more eyes — especially young ones — watching the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship, looking to see what he does next. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
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WASHINGTON — At the age of 21, Jordan Spieth dominated the 2015 Masters this weekend. His wire-to-wire win was the first in the last 39 years at Augusta. But there were plenty of other major story lines, which portend perhaps the most exciting golf season we’ve seen in years.

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