Adam Scott has ended a six-year absence and needing just two events since an anchoring ban on January 1st to win using a conventional length putter and claiming victory in the Honda Classic in Florida.
Scott posted a final round 70 to win by a shot at nine under par and deny Spain’s Sergio Garcia who dropped shots at 17 and 18 in a score of 71 and an eight under par total on the PGA National course.
The win is Scott’s 26th worldwide and the eighth occasion he’s won before the season’s first Major, and the Masters he captured in 2013.
However it’s Scott’s first taste of success using a normal size putter in some six years since capturing the 2010 Singapore Open, and after turning to a long-handled putter up until the ‘anchoring ban’ that came in place at the start of the New Year.
Adam Scott needs just two events since an anchoring ban to win with a normal size putter and capturing the Honda Classic. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
During that period Scott in 2013 used a controversial long-handled putter to become the first Australian to win the Masters at Augusta National.
“Well, it’s pretty good to win,” he said. “I hit a lot of good putts this week but then golf’s a game where some days they go in like yesterday and today they just were rolling over the edge but I hit a lot of good ones, but made some, too.”
Graeme McDowell collected a big load of Ryder Cup points posting a 69 and grabbing fifth place at five under par.
As well, McDowell has qualified for this week’s $US 10m WGC – Cadillac Championship in Miami.
However fellow Irishman Shane Lowry and playing partner Charlie ‘Smiley’ Hoffman are facing hefty fines over two incidents at the same hole.
Lowry was clearly heard on TV exclaiming: “You F******* Idiot” are dunking his tee shot into the water at the par three, 15th and the opening hole of the famed ‘Bear Trap’ at PGA National.
The Dubliner had following Hoffman into the water and with the American, who is on the PGA Tour Players Advisory Board, snapped his 7-iron over his knee.
Lowry, competing in the event for a first occasion, walked off with a double bogey ahead of a final round 75 to slump well down the board at six over par in total.
He said: “I’m a bit disappointed after battling so well all week but that’s the way this golf course, and this game is sometimes.”
