Adam Scott wins Masters, the first for Australia

Adam Scott (Photo: Michael Madrid, USA TODAY Sports)
Adam Scott (Photo: Michael Madrid, USA TODAY Sports)

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Carrying the weight of an entire continent on his back and hauling around the burden of expectation for years hasn’t been easy at times for Adam Scott of Australia.

The burden is gone now.

Scott, 32, erased decades of Aussie heartbreak at the Masters, closing with a final-round 2-under 70, then defeating two-time major champion Angel Cabrera on the second hole of a playoff to capture his first major.

It is the first Masters title for Australia.

It also erases some recent heartbreak for Scott, who was the clubhouse leader in the final round here two years ago, before Charl Schwartzel made four consecutive birdies to snatch away his chance at a green jacket.

Last year at the British Open, Scott led by four shots with four holes to play but bogeyed the last four holes and lost to Ernie Els.

He played the final four holes on Sunday in 2 under.

To get to the playoff Scott drained a 20-foot birdie to take a one-stroke lead at 9 under while Cabrera was waiting to hit his second shot on the final hole.

Cabrera put his shot 3 feet from the hole while Scott was signing his scorecard. Cabrera then sank the short put to also finish at 9 under and force a playoff.

The Masters went to a sudden-death playoff for the second year in a row. They both made par on the first extra hole, No. 18, before Scott hit a 12-footer for birdie to win it.

Source: USA Today