Adam Scott takes home deserving Masters win for himself, Australia

Adam Scott earned his first major title in playoff over Angel Cabrera with a birdie putt on the second playoff hole at The Masters in Augusta.

In regulation play on the 72nd hole, the drama began. Scott birdied the last hole with a putt from 20 feet and yells out “C’mon Aussies!” Australia had never had a Masters champion until today. It was jubilation between Scott and his caddy Steve Williams, the man on the bag for 13 of Tiger Woods’ major championships.

“For a slight second, I thought I won,” Scott said. But there was one player left on the course who could tie him, 2007 U.S. Open and 2009 Masters Champion Angel Cabrera. The Argentinian hit the best approach shot of the day on the 18th three feet from the hole. For the second consecutive year, The Masters had a playoff.

On the first hole of the playoff, both players split the fairway on 18 only to come up short on their approach shot. Both men faced a pitch from off the green. Cabrera went first and burned the cup as he dropped to his knees thinking his third major was won. Scott managed to get up and down and the playoff moves to the 10th hole where both players had bogied in regulation play on Sunday.

Just like the first playoff hole, both players launched their drives in perfect shape only seven yards apart. Both players hit excellent shots to the green. Cabrera again would take aim at the cup first. From 15 feet out, he faced heartache when his putt hung on the lip. The stage was set for the Aussie.

From 12 feet out, the 32-year old Scott rolled his putt to the edge of the cup and dropped in the birdie for the historic win. Cabrera in true sportsmanship form hugged Scott, a past President’s Cup teammate and partner. The two class acts walked the green with arms over each other’s shoulders.

Scott and Cabrera were 9-under par after 18 holes, two strokes ahead of Jason Day, another young talented Aussie who had the lead alone on the 16th tee. The momentum was in his favor, but a shot that carried over the green on the par-three hole led to a bogey. Then, under-clubbing his second shot on the 17th left Day in a bunker and led to yet another bogey.

“The pressure did get to me to but love this tournament regardless of where I finished, yes it’s a little disappointing, but there’s a lot of experience that I can take into next year and hopefully I can wear one of those Green Jackets soon,” Day said.

As for Tiger Woods, the chance to rebound for a comeback win was not in the cards. “65 was my target score, but I could never get right with the speed on the greens,” Woods noted. He posted a 70 to finish at 5-under. It has been since 2005 when Woods last won at Augusta National. The 2013 Masters for Tiger will always be remembered for what happened on hole no. 15 in the second round. His third shot to the par-5 from 87 yards hit the flagstick and ricocheted into the creek. After the round it was discovered that he took an improper drop and was penalized another two strokes. The controversy and lost shots had to have some effect on Woods, who appeared ready to heat up heading into the weekend.

Last August at The Open held at Royal Lytham and St. Ann, Adam Scott’s collapse with bogeys on the last four holes led him to fall by one stroke to World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els. It was ranked as the fourth worst collapse in major tournament history. On Sunday, Scott found redemption by being the first Australian to ever win The Masters in the true form of a seasoned champion.

In Butler Cabin where the ceremonial jacket presentation is held along with recognizing the low amateur, one of professional golf’s most liked players was still overcome by the feat.

“It’s incredible to be in this position,” said Scott with a bright smile. Last year’s champion, Bubba Watson, slipped the Green Jacket on Scott.

“To make a couple of putts to win the Masters tournament is just an amazing feeling,” Scott said.

A long-time hero and inspiration for Scott is three time second place finisher at The Masters, Greg Norman. The Shark provided understanding support for Scott after his collapse at The Open. “There is a part of Greg in this victory,” Scott explained. “he is golf in Australia.” The thoughts of last year’s Open now seem so far away.

On a local note: Tianlang Guan of China, the youngest to ever compete in The Masters at age 14, made the cut and was low amateur for the championship. He was recognized at the Green Jacket Ceremony in Butler Cabin. The only other experience Guan has had with a major championship was the U.S. Open Qualifier at Lakewood Golf Club where he shot 71 and did not advance to the next stage. He stayed in New Orleans for several weeks and worked on his game at Lakewood along with helping with the nationally recognized junior golf program.