Masters builds to a thrilling finale but Tiger's roar is muted on final day

Time waits for no man. Newspaper deadlines don’t hang about either. As you gaze at this page in front of you, while slootering a spoonful of All Bran down your pyjamas at the breakfast table, you’ll probably already know that whats-his-face won the 88th Masters last night.

Long before whit-do-you-call-him had slipped into the green jacket, and that wonderfully awful ceremony in the Butler Cabin had taken place after an engrossing battle for supremacy, Tiger Woods had marked his 100th round at the Masters by finishing last of those who made the cut. At least he made the early printing presses on this side of the pond.

At his happy hunting ground of Augusta, Woods has broken more records than a rampaging bull at a second-hand vinyl fare. He notched another one on Friday when he made the cut for the 24th consecutive time.

As usual, Woods talked in bullish tones about the prospect of mounting an assault on a sixth Masters title. And, as usual again, the galleries, and us lot in the golf media, indulged the fantasy as we all drooled at the prospect of another miraculous twist in the Tiger tale.

Reality, of course, swiftly hit home with a third round 82, his worst ever score at the Masters. In his trademark Sunday red for the closing round, the 48-year-old signed off with a 77 for a 16-over aggregate.

Given that Woods had managed just 24 holes of competitive golf this year prior to this week’s opening major of the year, ploughing on through 72 over a daunting, unforgiving Augusta National was an admirable achievement.

And, let’s face it, until he calls it a day – and there’s no hint of that from the man himself – then golf will continue to revel in his presence.

For all the accomplishments and achievements of the current generation at the top of the global order, they tend to get dunted into the margins by the hoopla generated by the relentless, will he, won’t he Tiger titillation.

In a sense, it’s golf’s blessing and its curse, isn’t it? The prospect of Woods doing this, that and the other at a tournament brings exposure, and unhinged expectation, like nothing else. But it also overshadows everything else.

On a hot day in Georgia, Woods was so soaked by the perspiration of his endeavour, he looked like he’d just been for a dook in Rae’s Creek.

After a round that had veered off course with a triple-bogey on the fifth, Woods was naturally disappointed yet still upbeat as he mulled over a week of fluctuating fortunes on his long and defiant journey of recovery.

“I was hopefully going to shoot something in the 60s, I thought I had it in my system,” said Woods, who is hardwired to think that way. “It didn’t go the right way. But it was a good week all round.”

Woods is now targeting the remaining three majors of the year, the US PGA, the US Open and The Open. The Tiger fever will continue, folks.

As for the continuing palaver of the negotiations between the established tours and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) which steamrolls the renegade LIV series?

Well, Woods was part of a delegation that met with the PIF top brass in the Bahamas recently. “I don't know if we're closer, but certainly we're headed in the right direction,” said Woods.

It sounded just like an assessment of his own game and physical state. In men’s golf at the moment, there remain more questions than answers.

But back to affairs at the manicured splendour of Augusta. The early, final round nip and tuck involving Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and the brilliant, fearless major rookie Ludvig Aberg certainly kept the edges of various seats warm.

Aberg’s push was particularly thrilling as he reached the turn in three-under. Who said you need experience to thrive in this neck of the woods? The young Ryder Cup Swede, making his first start in any major championship, was revelling in the occasion.

For defending champion Jon Rahm, meanwhile, there was a quiet retreat from the scene of his mighty conquest a year ago.

The Spaniard closed with a four-over 76 for a nine-over aggregate and will now return to life on LIV. His fellow LIV rebel, and the current US PGA champion, Brooks Koepka, also finished on nine-over.

Joining those relative young ‘uns on that score was 58-year-old Jose Maria Olazabal who marked the 30th anniversary of his first Masters win by signing off a fine week with a spirited 72.

Rory McIlroy said ta-ta with a 73 for four-over as his latest bid for the career grand slam ended in sighing futility. His general state was summed up by affairs on the second hole where he set up a glorious eagle chance with a superb approach only to three-putt.

It’s a daft auld game.