News and Headlines:
Adam Scott wins Masters, defeats Angel Cabrera in playoff.
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Women in green jackets welcomed a Chinese eighth-grader wielding a belly putter to a place unfamiliar with such sights: a sure sign that this promised to be an unusual week at Augusta National.
It delivered more than that.
Adam Scott's playoff victory over Angel Cabrera on Sunday meant a long overdue victory and agonizing end to Australian frustrations at the Masters, and perhaps Bloomin' Onions for everyone at next year's Champions Dinner.
Sorry, true Aussies aren't big fans of the American restaurant chain, but surely they will forgive the quip Down Under.
They love their golf in Australia, and have been heartbroken at the near-misses of their mates on this glorious stage, none more prominent than Greg Norman, who three times suffered excruciating defeats here.
"He inspired a nation of golfers,'' said Scott, tearing up at the mention of a mentor to many Aussie golfers. "Most of us would feel that he could have slipped a green jacket on for sure.''
Of course, there would be links to the past
Steve Williams, Scott's caddie, once worked for the Shark, and he played a key role Sunday, helping with the 10th-hole playoff read in near darkness, telling Scott to play more break on what would be the winning putt.
Williams was Tiger Woods' longtime caddie, and was on the bag three times for victories here. The last came in 2005, a long eight years ago for Woods, who came up four strokes short and posted his seventh top-six finish since last winning.
Woods obviously contributed to the week's drama, facing disqualification after a rules violation that ended up resulting in a two-stroke penalty. He came here ranked No. 1 in the world and with more confidence in years after two recent victories.
But he didn't hit enough greens (47 of 72) and needed 116 putts, far off his success rate at Doral and Bay Hill. To his credit, Woods didn't lament the two-stroke penalty or the drama that surrounded it.
"We could do a "what-if' on every tournament we lose,'' Woods said. "We lose more tournaments than we win. But I certainly had my opportunities to post some good rounds this week.''
It delivered more than that.
Adam Scott's playoff victory over Angel Cabrera on Sunday meant a long overdue victory and agonizing end to Australian frustrations at the Masters, and perhaps Bloomin' Onions for everyone at next year's Champions Dinner.
Sorry, true Aussies aren't big fans of the American restaurant chain, but surely they will forgive the quip Down Under.
They love their golf in Australia, and have been heartbroken at the near-misses of their mates on this glorious stage, none more prominent than Greg Norman, who three times suffered excruciating defeats here.
"He inspired a nation of golfers,'' said Scott, tearing up at the mention of a mentor to many Aussie golfers. "Most of us would feel that he could have slipped a green jacket on for sure.''
Of course, there would be links to the past
Steve Williams, Scott's caddie, once worked for the Shark, and he played a key role Sunday, helping with the 10th-hole playoff read in near darkness, telling Scott to play more break on what would be the winning putt.
Williams was Tiger Woods' longtime caddie, and was on the bag three times for victories here. The last came in 2005, a long eight years ago for Woods, who came up four strokes short and posted his seventh top-six finish since last winning.
Woods obviously contributed to the week's drama, facing disqualification after a rules violation that ended up resulting in a two-stroke penalty. He came here ranked No. 1 in the world and with more confidence in years after two recent victories.
But he didn't hit enough greens (47 of 72) and needed 116 putts, far off his success rate at Doral and Bay Hill. To his credit, Woods didn't lament the two-stroke penalty or the drama that surrounded it.
"We could do a "what-if' on every tournament we lose,'' Woods said. "We lose more tournaments than we win. But I certainly had my opportunities to post some good rounds this week.''