In what has been described as a “surf and turf” dinner, Adam Scott gave his fellow Masters green jacket winners a true taste of Australia last night.
The tradition of the defending champion serving up his favourite dishes in the lead-up to the first major of the year was an outstanding success.
The meal started with a complex salad of artichokes and argula, followed by Australian wagyu New York strip with Moreton Bay bugs, and finished with a strawberry and passionfruit pavlova.
Last night Scott won over his peers, tonight he sets out to win over the field at Augusta.
He’s been installed as co-favourite with Rory McIlroy at 9-1, the always dangerous Phil Mickelson is at 12s, and Jason Day at 14s.
Providing Day’s hand injury has healed, he’s my pick to win his first major after coming so close with a second at the 2011 Masters, 2011 US Open, and the 2013 Masters – and third at the 2013 Masters.
Since then Day has won the WCG-Accenture matchplay with a sustained display of percentage golf, mixed with the usual Day brilliance.
He’s a cool customer who rarely splashes a potential tournament-destroying double or triple bogey on his card.
Scott can do that, so too John Senden, Steve Bowditch, Marc Leishman, and Matt Jones.
Having said that, if the big numbers aren’t on their cards, every one of those five are capable of being in contention on the final day.
That leaves Oliver Goss, who qualified for the Masters by finishing second in the 2013 US Amateur.
The 19-year-old from Perth has been given a hand on how to play Augusta by both Scott and Day who rate his talent.
Seven Australians and seven Englishmen head the overseas contingent in the field of 93 where there are 43 Americans.
Scott, as defending champion, will have 15 former champions wanting another coveted green jacket, with Bubba Watson the most dangerous if he can control his immense power.
If there’s a smokey in the field, it would have to be Sergio Garcia, still without a major after 61 starts. He’s finished second three times – the 1999 PGA, 2007 British Open, and the 2008 PGA.
Garcia’s best finish at Augusta, where he’s played 15 times, is a fourth in 2004.
One thing for sure, the 2014 Masters will be open-house to a bolter if the wind gets up, and if there’s any rain about.
Come what may, it’s always a magnificent way to kick-start the year’s four majors, at a magnificent course.
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