Jordan Spieth carded five birdies over his final six holes to power his way into a two-shot lead at the U.S. Masters on Thursday but that spectacular finish was overshadowed by Tony Finau, who penned a bit of Augusta National folklore as he hobbled into contention.
On a day that saw Tiger Woods back at the Masters for the first time since 2015 and reigning champion Sergio Garcia record a 13 — the highest score ever for a single hole at the tournament — it was Finau who stole the show by grinding out a 68 to join Matt Kuchar on four-under.
Spieth, the 2015 champion and runner-up in 2014 and 2016, sputtered through his first seven holes, mixing two birdies with two bogeys, before carding an eagle at the eighth then reeling off five straight birdies from the 13th.
The three-time major winner signed off with a bogey at the last for a six-under 66 to leave him alone in top spot.
But it was an inspiring performance by Finau that had the golf world buzzing.
Finau’s first Masters was in danger of being over before it even started when the 28-year-old suffered what appeared to be a gruesome ankle injury while celebrating a hole-in-one during Wednesday’s Par Three contest.
The cheers turned to gasps as Finau’s ankle dislocated, sending him to the hospital for treatment and an MRI.
Not willing to surrender his chance of playing in the year’s first major, Finau limped up the leaderboard ahead of a glittering array of major winners.
Lurking three shots back is a pack of seven golfers at three-under that includes major winners Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy, who needs a Green Jacket to complete a career grand slam.
