JUBILANT: Adam Scott celebrates after he sinks a birdie putt on the 18th hole before going on to become the first Australian to win the Masters in Augusta. (AFP)
DPA/Augusta
For the second year in a row, the Masters was decided by a sudden death playoff with Adam Scott taking home Australia’s first green jacket.
“I’m a proud Australian,” said Scott, whose previous best at Augusta National was co-runner up in 2011. “This was one thing in golf that we had not been able to achieve. So it’s amazing that it’s my destiny to be the first Aussie to win.”
Playing in the 30th of 31 pairs, Scott finished Sunday’s fourth round as the leader, capping his day with a birdie putt from about 6 metres out to move to 9 under.
“Come on, Aussie,” he shouted after his strong finish on the soggy course. Only problem was, Argentina’s Angel Cabrera was at 8-under and had one more hole to play. And when he got to the 18th, he landed his second shot within 3 feet of the cup to set up an easy putt and force extra holes.
On the second hole of the playoff, Scott edged out Cabrera for the win just before nightfall, sinking another timely birdie.
“It was getting too dark to play anymore, had to finish it,” Scott said.
Cabrera, who held the lead for most of the day, had just watched his third stroke settle on the cup’s edge, forcing him to tap in for par.
But Scott’s win wasn’t the only historic moment nor was the playoff in pouring rain the only drama at the 77th tournament at Augusta National.
Controversy concerning two the tournament’s most talk about players - Tiger Woods and Guan Tianlang - stirred Friday and Saturday’s rounds.
World number one Woods made headlines before Saturday’s third round even teed off. On the 15th hole the day before, he lost his ball to a water hazard and took a drop and the accompanying one-stroke penalty.
As with commonly in golf, a TV viewer called and pointed out he was further back than the
original shot. A review was called before Woods finished Friday’s 18th hole, but at the time officials believed he was in compliance with the rules.
That night, in an interview with ESPN, Woods admitted to having dropped the ball from further way than original, which prompted a second review. The Rules Committee then decided he had play from the wrong play assessed a two-stroke penalty before his Saturday afternoon tee time.
Woods started the final round at 3-under and finished his failed pursuit of a fifth green jacket at 5-under.
“I certainly had a chance,” he said. “If I would have posted a number today, I was right there. I was four back starting out the day and I thought I really played well this week. I made my share of putts as well.”
Woods final scorecard of 283 left him tied for fourth with Australia’s Marc Leishman. Fellow Aussie, Jason Day finished in third at 7-under.
Since August, the golf world had been abuzz about the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship winner Guan who at age 14 became the youngest player to qualify for golf’s largest stage. He went on to open play, shooting a 73 on day one before eventually finishing 72 holes at 9-over.
“It’s such a great week for me and I enjoy it so far and learned a lot,” he said.
He not only was the youngest to start, but the youngest to make the cut and the youngest low amateur score. But he was also assessed the first pace of play penalty in known Masters history on hole 17 of the second round.
But not much luck was had for big names like world number 2 Rory McIlroy, defending champion Bubba Watson or three-time winner Phil Mickelson. McIlroy finished at 2-over, while Watson and Mickelson returned to the club house at 7- and 9-over respectfully.
BELOW:
OOPS! I MISS IT: Angel Cabrera of Argentina reacts after a missed putt on the 17th hole during the fourth round of the 77th Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. (AFP)