Scott simply the best at WGC Bridgestone

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2011 World Golf Championship -Bridgestone Invitational | Wrap | 08 Aug 2011

Adam Scott’s stunning four shot victory at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational today has reminded us all of the amazingly talent he is.

Scott won over Rickie Fowler and Luke Donald and over his final nine holes appeared in absolute command. Once he gets his nose in front Scott has proven over many years that he is a hard man to run down, many of his victories coming by large margins.

After his round Scott confirmed his capacity to lead well when in front. “I don’t know if I’ve led all the way before, I can’t think of a time. But I like being out in front. I consider myself a good frontrunner. I think if you look at all the tournaments I’ve won, I’d say most of them have been from out in front. So I like that position.”

A month ago Scott sent out signals that things were very good both with his mind and his game, much of it as a result of his switch to the long putter and his very good finish at Augusta National

“I am still taking some confidence from the Masters as it was nice to play well when I needed to," he said just before the Open Championship. “It is good to know that if I get in that position again that I can play well and execute my shots under those circumstances.

“I think now that I am putting a lot better then I think that over time the consistency and better performances in Opens and Majors generally is going to come because of that belief in the putting.”

There was another factor this week however that took the transformation of Adam Scott to another level again. If there has been a concern about Adam Scott it has been an apparent lack of self belief and conviction at times and when he engaged Steve Williams as a caddie just prior to the US Open as what was then an interim measure even he could not have imagined the turnaround it would provide.

Williams, in his role as the most successful caddie the game has seen, will never allow you to die wondering as to what might have been. His decisive and positive approach has clearly rubbed off on Scott. It was apparent in the body language all week and just as Scott appeared to take on a new demeanor it was perhaps a less demonstrative but equally effective Williams in his role also. The pair seems very suited.

Scott faced a tight battle through much of his opening nine holes with Rory Ishikawa and Jason Day but when he birdied the 10th he had the lead by one over Ishikawa who appeared as if he might just be the Australian’s greatest threat.

Scott would continue to move forward however and as Day and Ishikawa began to battle over the closing holes it was world number one Luke Donald and Rickie Fowler who emerged from the pack to share second position.

Perhaps the most crucial hole in terms of the outcome came at the 15th when Scott missed the green a long way left with his tee shot but saved par with a beautiful 12 foot par save. When playing partner Ishikawa bogeyed the same hole the difference was four and he could afford to enjoy what was about to transpire.

“The 15th was huge, and it was a huge turning point with Ryo three-putting there because it could have easily gone the other way," added Scott. “But you know, I’ve told everyone I feel very comfortable with the putter, and that’s right in my range right there. I just chipped it just inside my range where I like to be, and I made every one of them today, I felt like.

Day and Ishikawa eventually tied for 4th one shot behind.

While Ishikawa is likely disappointed about not going on with his effort it was probably enough to earn himself a Presidents Cup berth. The race for one of the two Captain’s picks is intense and Ishikawa has done his chances no harm in that regard with his good effort.

Day battled a wayward putter over the closing stages of round and might have today been regretting the decision to switch from the putter that has brought him so much joy earlier in the season. It was however yet another great week from Day and sets him up well for a tilt at winning his first major championship next week.

“Yeah, it was, definitely,” said Day referring to the disappointment of his bogey at the first. “I got off to a great start, like I said, and I just hit an awful second shot, and that bunker is really hard to get it close.

“After I bogeyed that hole, I knew I needed to just stick around, just see what I can do. There were plenty of holes left, and it felt like the day went really, really quick today. I don’t know if that was mentally or just — it was just how the course was playing. But another top 5 finish, which is nice, in a pretty big event, so I’m looking forward to next week.”

So what of Scott and his own chances of winning the much awaited major championship title next week in Atlanta?

“As far as going next week, it’s just a confidence boost, really, he said. “Good to know you’re a winner. It’s not easy to win, and the year was slipping away from me here, and I feel like — I think I’ve won every year of my career somewhere in the world, and this year was slipping away quickly, so it was great to get a win, and hopefully I can take this form and play my way in with a chance next week.”

Of the other Australians Aaron Baddeley had a good week when he finished 11th, keeping his outside chances of a Presidents Cup berth alive while Geoff Ogilvy and Richard Green were 37th.

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