Although his 2012 win is fondly remembered for the miracle play-off escape from deep in the trees at the 10th, it should be remembered Watson drove the ball superbly in that final round and he repeated the dose in 2014, providing opportunities to hit shorter irons to greens that were noticeably more firmer - and as a result, more fearsome - than in recent years.
Practice rounds on Monday were cancelled due to inclement weather yet the greens still had an ominous brown tinge to them as early as Wednesday. The absence of the traditional birdie and eagle barrage we so enjoy on the back nine on Sunday is a testament as to how hard and fast they had become.
The cacophonous cheers and a seismic atmosphere reverberating through the pines was absent for the first time in years as players battled more to survive than to prosper. Watson took a two-stroke lead into the back nine and was able to advance his winning margin, despite only shooting level par on the inward nine. Historically, shooting level down the stretch at Augusta is a sure-fire way of losing ground on the field.
In these conditions, Watson led the field for the week in driving distance, was 13th in greens in regulation and 12th in putts per green in regulation.
The only time the driver threatened to derail him during the final round was when he cut off more of the par-five 13th hole than he was anticipating. He was a relieved man when the cheers of the crowd indicated his ball has found fairway over 360 yards away, leaving a mere gap wedge to the green.
How do you compete with that?
"His drive on 13, I’ll never forget," Spieth said in the aftermath. "I thought it was out of bounds 70 yards left, and it was perfect. He knew that, too.
"It [losing] stings right now," he continued. "The only thing I’m thinking about is when I’m getting back next year. I’ll have more chances, but it’s a stinger. I had it in my hands and could have gone forward with it.
"Whether my face showed it on the back nine, I was really having a good time," he added. "I’m not as good at holding my emotions."
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