I agree that he played poorly, but not buying Golds and buying Pillages is one of the things he did right. He didn't have turns like
Michael Sobin: turn 22
Michael Sobin plays Cultist
Michael Sobin draws Cultist, Province
Michael Sobin plays Cultist
Michael Sobin draws Cultist, Cultist
Michael Sobin plays Cultist
Michael Sobin draws Market, Spoils
Michael Sobin plays Cultist
Michael Sobin draws Silver, Fortress
Michael Sobin plays 2 Silver
Michael Sobin plays Spoils
Michael Sobin buys Market
Michael Sobin gains Market
Michael Sobin draws Fortress
Michael Sobin shuffles deck
Michael Sobin draws Market, Province, Cultist, Market
because he didn't have Golds in his deck and had bought Pillages instead, he had them because his engine was horrible. Note that you wouldn't have had that Madman if he had Pillaged you every turn, like he should have.