Adam Scott – Masters Champion 2013
The 2013 Masters served up a memorable cliamax as Adam Scott overcome a stirring fightback by Angel Cabrera to become Australia’s first US Masters champion.
Scott’s joy was palpable, witnessed on the 72nd hole when his 20ft putt appeared to seal victory and again on the 2nd play-off hole to finally break open his Major account.
While the golfing fraternity lined up to express its genuine congratulations to one of the game’s good guys, other events taking place in and around Augusta this year have created some concern in terms of the direction that the game.
Tiger Drop
The Rules of Golf in particular have been placed under the spotlight, concerning their interpretation and application. For a game that is reknowned for its integrity and for the responsibility it places on those that play, the 2013 Masters created a precedent by permitting the World No.1 to flout the rules for his advantage. The traditional approach to applying the rules could not have been better illustrated when also at the Masters, the youngest ever competitor was penalised for playing too slowly.
Winning Putt!
That Adam Scott gained victory at this year’s Masters also serves a reminder of the recent debate regarding the legality of long putter. For the first time in the game’s history, the possibility has been raised that the PGA Tour of America may over-ride any revision to the rules in respect of “anchoring” the putting stroke.
It may have escaped the Masters’ headlines that Vijay Singh completed the tournament in 42nd place. As a recent user of the banned artificial stimulant “deer-antler spray”, the governing bodies have yet to act against Singh for this clear violation of the rules and conduct. There is of course the difficult matter of policing this rule on-going, and the possibility that several other prominent players on tour have taken similar substances. The notion however that golfers remain a breed-apart from other sportsmen, proud to call a penalty on themselves for the good of the game, appears to a principle in decline.
Vijay at Augusta
Furthermore, the manner and etiquette in which the world’s top golfers play also appears to be in question. On the 72nd hole, Adam Scott celebrated unreservedly for victory – creating a scence reminiscent of the infamous 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline when team celebrations that followed a putt holed by Justin Leonard prevented Jose Maria Olazabal from being given a fair chance to hole his own crucial putt. At the Masters on the 72nd hole, Scott’s friend Angel Cabrera still had a chance to tie, when Scott prematurely celebrated in victory in front of him.
In the lead up to the Masters Ian Poulter declared that it was his time to “slip on the the Green jacket” and following the conclusion of the event, Brandt Snedeker foretold that “my day will come for sure at Augusta”. These top players (so far without Major success) appear to be adept at promoting their own “destiny” without a thought for their fellow competitors, lady luck, or their own shortcomings to date!
Bobby Jones
Theses soundings and recent brushes with the Rules all appear in conflict with the mantra of fomer champion and co-designer of Augusta National, Bobby Jones – “it is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game that counts“.
The remainder of the 2013 season might well challenge both the governing bodies & leading players to preserve the Rules and ideals of our ancient game.
