Adam Scott corrected anomaly in Australian lineage

Adam Scott is a very good friend of mine, but I guess that is a statement that you are likely to hear from any of us professional golfers who has played against him.

The Aussie is one of the most likeable characters in the game and that is the reason why most of us felt his pain at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s last year when he lost The Open Championship so dramatically, and share his joy in winning his first Major and the Green Jacket last Sunday.

Scotty was a deserving winner. He was solid throughout the four days, and should have won comfortably instead of having to wait for the playoffs if he had made a couple of putts in regulation play on Sunday.

However, the only two putts that dropped for him turned out to be the most crucial ones — the one on the 18th hole and then the second playoff hole.

Given the quality of his previous wins — a list that includes the PGA Tour Championship, the Players Championship and a WGC — the only thing missing from his CV was obviously a Major.

Even though some critics questioned his mental toughness after the Open loss to Ernie Els, I never had any doubts that he would bounce back.

It really was a most surprising fact in golf that no Australian had won the Masters so far. Scotty’s win has corrected that anomaly, and I am sure it will be a much needed shot in the arm for Aussie golf.

One did get a feeling that the game was stagnating a bit Down Under, but with three players in contention on the back nine, it was exciting for the fans and I am sure there will be a new wave of interest. Just like Greg Norman’s exploits inspired Scotty, his win will surely motivate newcomers to take up the game.

While most people expected Scotty to contend, no one gave much of a chance to Angel Cabrera. The Argentinian has not been in very good form the last couple of years and also suffered with a couple of injuries. But he once again proved that there is no substitute for experience at Augusta National.

“El Pato” is one of the most respected figures in the game and it was difficult for me to root for one player in the playoff. Despite the language barrier between us, Angel made me feel comfortable and always asked about my well-being when I first joined the European Tour. His reaction after Scotty won the play-off sums up the kind of person he is. Cabrera is one rare human being who feels genuinely happy at other people’s success.

There was much talk about Tiger Woods and his illegal drop during the second round, and whether he should have continued playing after the two-shot penalty imposed on him.

My take on the issue is simple — he was right in playing because it was the decision of the committee and made under the new amendments to the Rules of Golf.

On a personal note, I am off to Japan for the Token Homemate Cup this week, followed by the Ballantine’s Championship and the Volvo China Open on the European Tour and really looking forward to three weeks of competitive golf.

(Jeev Milkha Singh is a four-time champion on the European Tour)