Jack Newton believes Adam Scott’s British Open heartache provided the catalyst for his historic Masters triumph and the win will rid him of some golfing demons.
Nine months after blowing the British Open, Scott beat Argentina’s 2009 champion Angel Cabrera with a four-metre birdie putt at their second play-off hole to become the first Australian to claim the green jacket.
One of six Australians to finish runner-up in the Masters when beaten by the late Seve Ballesteros in 1980, Newton watched the final round drama from a motel room in Forbes in country NSW where he’s been conducting a junior clinic for his golf foundation.
“It’s a wonder you didn’t hear my yelling in Queensland,” said Newton.
“I was so pleased when that putt went in.
“I thought the way he won, it would put a few demons to bed.”
Newton said Scott had the best golf swing in the game but had been hampered by his putting when in a slump before he adopted his long-handled putter and anchored putting stroke in 2011.
“He was in denial about his putting but he did come around and switch to the broomstick,” Newton said.
Newton felt the experience of losing the 2012 British Open to Ernie Els after leading by four shots with four holes to play had steeled Scott.
“In hindsight, probably losing the British Open the way he did was the catalyst that helped him win today,” said Newton.
“He got pretty hammered about how he lost that British Open when he came unstuck at Royal Lytham.
“A lot of you journos forget they don’t just throw majors on the ground and you pick them up.”
Newton said 43-year-old Cabrera, who is also a US Open winner, was a “tough nut” who made Scott earn his maiden major.
“I think Adam thought he’d won it after that great putt on the 72nd hole,” he said.
“… but Cabrera comes along straight after him, it’s piddling rain and he hits it inside a metre.
“Adam had to get his emotions together and get up mentally to go out and win it all over again.”
Newton rated Jason Day’s heartbreaking performance as outstanding except for a few late bogeys on the last two days which cost him his shot at victory and was also impressed by Marc Leishman, who tied for fourth with Tiger Woods.
“I’ve got to say when I looked at the leaderboard late in the tournament and it was 1-2-3 Aussie flags in succession I thought `you bloody beauty’.
“The 100-pound gorilla is gone.”