Adam Scott closes Lytham wound in style

Photograph from Wikipedia Commons

The Masters. Pure sporting theatre as always. In the midst of heartbreak for so many, there was adulation for Adam Scott as he conquered the undulations of Augusta National to end the Australian Green Jacket curse.

Many demons were banished today; Scott's collapse at Royal Lytham and St Annes is now a distant memory and there will finally be a Masters winner down under.

The 2012 Open Championship was a tournament of agony for the likeable Aussie when he suffered one of the worst major competition meltdowns the game has ever seen. But today was a far cry from those four horrible closing bogeys, and the major monkey has been replaced on his back by a Green Jacket. 

His control on the slippery greens with the controversial broom-handle putter was a joy to watch, while his length and accuracy off the tee was unerring all week. To top it all off he conquered the nerves that cost him the Claret Jug less nine months ago as he saw off a spirited challenge from the man who only bothers for majors, Angel Cabrera. 

It was a day that had many twists and turns with many men seeing chances come and go over the back nine. Amen Corner was at its harrowing best, two players taking ten strokes on the par-three 12th, one of them defending champion Bubba Watson. 

From the very start of the round there was a strong possibility of the 'Greg Norman' jinx being lifted with three Australians, Marc Leishman, Jason Day and Scott all within two shots of the lead. 

They all had their opportunities. The more unheralded Leishman threatened to mount a charge when he birdied the 11th to reach -6, but faltered when his iron at 15 found the water. Day looked the champion-elect for much of the round as confident putts and stunning bunker shots took him two strokes clear with three to play, only for his concentration to let him down as he bogeyed 16 and 17, much like when he dropped shots on the last two holes the day before. 

That paved the way for world number seven Scott to pour in a long-range birdie try on the last to all but seal the victory. Cabrera had other ideas though and the Argentinian forced a play-off and then came to within millimetres of a birdie on the second sudden death green that could have made the story so different. 

Today was all about the victor. He showed his class all week, yet almost seemed to sneak under the radar to win. The media focused their coverage on the controversial penalty shots awarded to 14-time major champion Tiger Woods and 14-year-old Tianlang Guan, while Scott went about his business quietly. 

He has focused mainly on the majors recently and has been rewarded with a string of impressive results, kick-started by his runner-up finish two years ago. The big 'W' was all that was missing and now all that remains to be seen is whether or not he can go on to add more to his career statistics. 

Adam Scott's recent major record:

Photograph from Wikipedia Commons

	2011	2012	2013
The Masters	T-2	T-8	W
U.S Open	CUT	T-15	?
The Open	T-25	2	?
USPGA	7	T-11	?

Unlike many first time major winners, he looks consistent in all areas of his game and should go on to lift many more trophies. His driving is long and accurate, he has a rhythmical swing with excellent distant control and his putting has been rejuvenated by introducing the long stick. 

The only reason why Scott won't go on to win more major titles will be the banning of the anchored putter, so he needs to get as many under his belt before 2016 as he can. 

Whether he adds more to his collection or not there will be some barbecues hotting up and beers being swigged in Australia now, no matter the time of morning.