Shell Houston Open win timely for Scott

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2007 Shell Houston Open | Wrap | 02 Apr 2007

“My plan this week was just to get in contention and feel the juices a little bit,” said Adam Scott just a few minutes after holing a 35 foot putt at the 72nd hole to win the Shell Houston Open. “They were certainly flowing up the last,” he added. I think it could be said that the plan worked perhaps, given his recent form, to a far greater degree than even Scott could have hoped for.

A three shot win over Stuart Appleby and Bubba Watson might look on paper as comfortable win but it was far from that as his fellow countryman and two time winner of the event, Appleby, applied the upmost pressure before it was he who finally cracked on the 72nd hole.

Starting out the final day three shots behind the leader, Bubba Watson, Appleby and Scott both reached the turn in four under and at that point had established a two shot lead over Watson.

Scott had all but holed his tee shot at the 7th and his game appeared to have made a remarkable transition from his Doral debacle where he recorded a final round of 80 and from the opening two rounds at this event. He was brilliant with his third round of 65 and over the closing 36 holes would not a drop a shot.

The pair reached the 12th today tied in the lead at 15 under but Appleby missed a great chance for birdie after Scott had holed his from longer range and the difference was one in favour of Scott. Appleby immediately responded with a fine approach at the par five 13th to three feet and he was back on level terms with his rival, nine years his junior.

At the 14th both were in trouble but Scott holed a very good par save from 9 feet while Appleby was unable to do the same from 8 feet – advantage Scott.

At the long par five 15th both hit massive tee shots. Scott then hit a three wood onto the green, albeit some 40 feet from the hole while Appleby’s response was to miss the green right. That left him with a very difficult up and down but he hit a good recovery and made his birdie from 10 feet. Scott two putted for birdie the difference was still one.

Both found the green at the par three 16th although they were a long way from the hole on the heavily contoured green. Scott, from 60 feet, ran his putt to within three feet and safely made par while Appleby left his first putt five feet short and pulled his par saving putt.

At the 17th both were again long and straight with their tee shots. Appleby played first and finished ten feet below the hole. Scott’s approach was not so good and he was left with a defensive putt for birdie. He two putted but when Appleby made his putt he difference was just one.

The last is a demanding hole with bunkers and water dominating the tee shot. Appleby hit first, caught the lip of the trap and bounced back twenty yards into the trap. Scott knowing that a par would likely get the job done pulled his tee shot into the water. When he had taken his drop both were effectively on the same score.

Appleby caught his second a little fat and turned it over in to the water, committing the cardinal sin of following Scott’s mistake with one of his own. Scott’s third hit the back centre of the green setting up a beautiful 35 foot putt that rolled in a to seal the victory before Appleby had a chance to respond. Appleby’s double bogey costing him US$120,000 and outright second after Bubba Watson, in the group behind, birdied the last.

Tommy Armour III finished alone in fourth place.

For Scott it provides a great boost on the eve of Augusta. It was on debut at the Masters in 2002 where he recorded his first top ten in a major when 9th. He proved last year that he had taken his game to the point where he can contend at major level with an 8th place at Hoylake and importantly a 3rd place at the PGA. He showed in 2006 that the consistency he had been lacking, is creeping into his game and this win could not have come at a better time given the limited number of starts and less than impressive form of late.

Appleby too will take heart from his performance despite the disappointment of the mistake at the last. He heads to Augusta with a much improved form line and the chance to now improve on his previous best at Augusta of 19th in ten starts. That 19th place came last year.

The next best of the Australians this week was an improving Stephen Leaney who was 19th, John Senden 31st, Gavin Coles 36th, Mathew Goggin 49th and Steve Allan 74th.

The USPGA Tour is in Augusta this week and for those not in the event they will get another chance at the Verizon Heritage Classic at Hilton Head the following week.

Photo – Kevin Cox/WireImage