Tiger Woods is seven shots back entering final round play of the 2009 Masters. On Sunday, he will be teeing off with rival Phil Mickelson at 1:35. Both currently sit at 4-under, and staring up 12 other golfers above them on the leader board.
What are their chances of either mounting an incredible final round comeback? Well, not very good. But here is some good news for all the Tiger and Phil fans out there: if either come back to capture the Green Jacket, it will not be the biggest 54-hole deficit overcome.
Biggest Final Round Comebacks in Masters History
The record for the biggest 54-hole deficit overcome belongs to Jack Burke, who came back from 8 strokes down in 1956 to win the Masters. He actually fell to nine back before mounting his rally. And in 1978 Gary Player overcome a 8-stroke deficit to mount the second biggest final round comeback in Masters history. In 1996, Nick Faldo famously overcame a 6-stroke deficit to Greg Norma to win, the third biggest final round comeback in Masters history.
So, while the most likely scenario is Angel Cabrera or Kenny Perry taking home the green jacket, or one of the other 10 guys in front of Tiger and Phil, it would not be unprecedented for a comeback by either to take place. What I do not know, and have not had time to research, is if anyone has ever overcome 12 or more golfers in the final round to win. That certainly sounds like a lot. Anyone know?
Either way, Tiger’s deficit does nothing to dampen my excitement for tomorrow. At some point he’s going to come back and win a major after being down heading into Sunday. There isn’t much that Tiger has not done on a golf course yet, and while I’d rather he be a little closer, maybe he’s just setting us all up for his greatest comeback yet.
Would anyone really, truly be surprised?
About Jerod Morris
