Adam Scott is at it again, talking up his chances at Augusta this week. Australia’s best golfer has been doing just that for 12 years, with two seconds his best results in 47 major starts – the 2011 Masters and 2012 British Open.
Charl Schwartzel pinched the Masters with birdies on the last four holes to pip Scott and compatriot Jason Day by a shot.
Gut-wrenching, but all credit to the South African.
A vastly different story at last years British Open. Leading by four with four holes to play, Scott bogeyed all four to lose by two shots to Enie Els.
Entirely Scott’s fault. He choked.
Which underlines why there’s no point talking up your chances pre-tournament as Scott always does when he’s “gunna” do this, and “gunna” do that.
Just do it, and then talk about it.
Scott is one of 11 among the world’s top 20 who have yet to win a major of any description:
Justin Rose (ranked 3 in the world), Luke Donald (4), Brandt Snedeker (5), Scott (7), Steve Stricker (8), Matt Kuchar (10), Ian Poulter (12), Lee Westwood (13), Sergio Garcia (16), Jason Dufner (18), and Dustin Johnson (19) make an impressive list yet to break their majors drought.
On the other side of the coin, there are 19 former Masters champions teeing off tomorrow at Augusta – a staggeringly high percentage in a field of 93.
Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Ian Woosnam, Mike Weir, Zach Johnson, Tom Watson, Craig Stadler, Mark O’Meara, Trevor Immelman, Ben Crenshaw, Bernard Langer, VJ Singh, Angel Cabrera, Freddie Couples, Jose Maria Olazabal, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, and the defending champion Bubba Watson.
And between then 28 green jackets.
That’s Australia’s biggest international Achilles heel – no green jackets in 76 attempts.
Normally there are seven or eight Australians on Augusta duty, but only four this time – Scott, Day, John Senden, and Marc Leishman.
Scott is by far the best of the quartet to create history.
– He’s won eight times on the USPGA tour, with The Players Championship in 2004 the best success.
– Won eight times in Europe as well, with the 2005 Johnnie Walker Classic the highlight.
– Won four times in Asia with the 2010 Singapore Open on top of the list.
– Won three times in Australia with the 2009 Australian Open the highlight.
Scott has been drawn with Sergio Garcia and Angel Cabrera for the first two rounds tomorrow, and that’s encouraging for Scott.
He can’t win the Masters in the first 36 holes, but he can sure lose it. Garcia and Cabrera will push Scott all the way. Caddy Steve Williams will do the rest.
And hopefully, come Monday morning our time, an Aussie will be wearing that coveted green jacket.
Although I hasten to add, don’t hold your breath waiting for history to be made.
Ben
Guest
Soooooo what you going to write about now David?? How Adam's extreme confidence before the tournament was part of the reason he won? I find it refreshing that someone at the top of their game can come out and state his confidence, but even better is then for them to come out and back it up!! Your article was a joke to begin with, and now it's even funnier!!!
bruski
Roar Pro
Classic.
Lowthman
Guest
I look forward to David's article congratulating Adam Scott!
mushi
Roar Guru
I wonder what Scott would write in reply right now? Oh that's right he's to busy trying on his new formal wear
JGK
Roar Guru
Meanwhile, Woods dodges a bullet. Should have been DQed for signing an incorrect scorecard.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
Leishman has done well first round. Hopefully keeps things going. the author is right, dont talk about it, do it. Last years choke in the British Open was the greatest choke seen since Parra led the Dirty Dogs 18-2 in the 1998 semi final with 11 minutes to go and went on to get flogged.
jameswm
Roar Guru
So is Leishman still equal leader? We've only got 4 playing, and at one stage this morning three of those four were in the top 20 or so.
jameswm
Roar Guru
David people are allowed to be critical of your articles.
David Lazzaro
Roar Pro
Those stats on top 10 finishes highlight just how often Norman put himself in contention in the big tournaments, Everyone remembers the 2nd places, but he was thereabouts more often than most of his contemporaries. The stats also show that since Greg, the Australian performances have been significantly poorer, with only Scott and Day's performance a couple of years ago providing any real joy.
Not an Eldrick fan
Guest
Yes, Woods is definitely back to his old form, cursing, yelling at fans to "shut up," throwing clubs, and having on course temper tantrums. He's back all right.
Felix
Guest
Interesting point, though Adam Scott and Jason Day can think themselves somewhat unlucky in 2011. Schwartzel's 4 birdies down the stretch to win is probably one of the best finishes in the Masters I can remember.
Code warmonger
Guest
Do not think there are any Aussies good enough to win. Our blokes always seem to cave when under pressure. Norman should have won 3 times easily. He was good enough and it still upsets me thinking about it. What is wrong with the Aussie sporting mind? Maybe it is something to do with us thinking ourselves too small because we only see these "great Americans" on the tele growing up and we get over-awed. No idea, but we are just not desperate enough in most international sports and we don't work hard enough at it. The South Africans on the other hand have had how many Master's champions. Would like to hear Gary Player's opinion why they win and we don't.
David Lord
Expert
Micky T, don't forget Lancey5times, he's in the same Ben mould.
David Lord
Expert
Ben, the TPC was the "fifth" major when Adam won in 2004, ask him or anyone else in the field.
Mickyt
Guest
A mate asked Ros Packer who he does some charity work. Another mate from scone has played it a few times and is a member at Royal Sydney GC. He said that he would give RSGC 2 out of 10 compared to Ellerston. Will take the camera. Apparently we are the only 4 playing the course for the day.
Felix
Guest
Any danger of snapping a few pics for the Roar? I'd give away pretty much anything I own and was born with for a round there.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Larry, how so ?
Larry
Guest
another astoundingly hollow and pointless article well done.
Ben
Guest
Agreed on the 20% being a farce. Much better players out there deserving of some of those spots. I would agree 15 years ago the Players was the 5th major, but not for a long time. The WGC events are the strongest fields year in year out. Aussie open was the 5th major at one stage too, things change.
Lancey5times
Guest
Scott's problem is his short game. Like most of the Australians. Everything from the type of grass to the soft yet fast greens are and always have been a massive contrast to the tracks our top players grew up playing on. Badds and Ogilvy have the games most suited to Augusta but unfortunately they have the week off. Tiger to win. With Rose his biggest threat. Poulter my smokey