Masters 2009 - Classy Cabrera toast of Argentina!
Well what a Masters it proved to be in the end and what a worthy champion Angel Cabrera is. In what is a complete rags to riches story, Cabrera has now won two majors. He certainly does not hide his emotions on the course and it is always exciting to watch someone like Cabrera due to his unpredictability. To his credit, he got up down on the final two holes to make the playoff and then holed a cracking putt coming down the hill on the first play-off hole to match Perry’s par. The guts and determination he showed was Tiger-esque!
You have to feel sorry too for Campbell and Perrry however. Perry in particular seemed to have it won with a tap in birdie on the 16th to go two head with two to play. A terrible chip on 17 though, followed by a poor second shot on the 18th from the fairway bunker condemned Perry to a play-off and subsequently, ruing what could have been.
Campbell will also be disappointed with the manner in which he lost. With Cabrera 100 yards short of the green at the first playoff hole in two shots and Perry missing the green well right with his second, Campbell had the chance to apply the pressure from the middle of the fairway. He pushed his second shot into the bunker on the right and despite a great bunker shot, he missed a 6-footer to send him packing.
We were also treated to some spectacular golf from Woods and Mickelson. Mickelson in particular charged up the leaderboard with 6 birdies in the front nine to reach 10 under. A fatal mistake on the 12th led to a double bogey however and seemingly left him too much to do. In typical Mickelson fashion however, he rallied with some amazing shots. He birdied 13 and on 14 lipped out with a birdie putt from 12 feet on the next. A stunning approach set up an eagle putt from 5 feet on 15 but he pushed the putt and another opportunity was gone. At 17, he again hit a cracking second to within 4 feet but similar to the 15th, he appeared to push the putt and with that his chances were gone. For those who backed him on my recommendation, he made the top 5 and therefore you should have made a few bob on him. However, with Casey Donald and Couples failing to shine for me, it was a somewhat disappointing Masters for me.
Tiger Woods also gave us something to cheer about but if anything, yesterday showed me that Tiger is still some way off dominating like he used to! He was completely overshaddowed by Mickelson in my eyes yesterday in terms of ball striking and flair. He never got his iron shots close enough and only for his putting early in the round, would have been well out of contention. His driving is too erratic and when you see Woods finishing bogey-bogey in the final round of a major when in contention, you know the game is not quite there. To his credit, he never gives in and I still believe he will win a major this season. However, he needs to stop sugar coating over his poor driving and tackle the problem. He has a tendency to blame his putting when rounds do not go his way but this is certainly not his Achilles heel. Right now he will be hurting but he is the legend Tiger Woods and we can expect him to come roaring back.
For the Europeans it was a very average performance. Peter Allis commented last night how there are many players out there from Europe that we keep thinking will do the business but at this stage, somewhat flatter to deceive. I agree and it is about time the likes of Westwood, Karlsson, Stenson, Casey, Poulter, Rose, Garcia and a few more started challenging on a regular basis. I believe they will but up to now, it has been somewhat disappointing. Garica certainly has the game but his attitude this week was appalling. Why he thinks everything is against him is beyond me. He complains on and off the course regularly which is not the sign of a champion. It annoys me because I have watched him in person and his ball-striking is simply sublime. So come on Sergio, take off the silly sun glasses, shut the gob, stop waving your arms in the air like an air traffic controller and fulfill your destiny to win a major. If you are looking for inspiration on how to become a gritty determined champion, look no further than your fellow contryman, Seve Ballesteros. One of the greatest competitors golf has ever seen. Get well Seve!!
Well thats the end of the Maters coverage from me. 364 days to Masters 2010. In the meantime, keep reading the blog. We will be making some improvements to the site over the coming months so if there is anything in particular you wish to see, please just let me know.
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