AUGUSTA, Ga. — Adam Scott was 16 years old when Greg Norman took a six-stroke lead into the final round of the Masters and began to endure the biggest meltdown in major championship history. The greatest golfer Australia had ever known had dominated Augusta National that week, starting with a record-tying 63 in the first round. After three rounds, he was 13-under-par and six shots clear of his nearest threat, Nick Faldo.
But on the back nine, Norman began to crumble under the pressure. From the ninth hole through the 12th, he committed three bogeys and a double bogey. Then ranked No.1 in the world, Norman staggered to a 6-over-par 78, finishing five strokes behind Faldo, the eventual winner. It was embarrassing for Norman and embarrassing for Australia. Scott has been dreaming of avenging Norman’s defeat ever since.
Sweet revenge finally came at Augusta National yesterday courtesy of Scott, who won his nation’s first Masters in a dramatic playoff duel with 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina. The Aussie with the good looks and long putter had folded over the closing holes when he had a chance to win the 2012 British Open. But unlike Norman’s brutal back nine here in 1996, Scott did his country proud by staying confident and courageous under the pressure of winning his first major championship.
“It’s amazing that it’s my destiny to be the first Aussie to win,” he said, “just incredible.”
He won it for Australia and he won it for Norman, who told the Golf Channel, “He probably had more pressure on him than any other player on the planet because he was playing for not only the millions of people in Australia, he was playing against the entire field. But there was more pressure on him because no Australian has ever done it.”
Scott didn’t crumble under the pressure the way Norman did on a Masters Sunday. He made birdies at the par-5 13th hole and par-5 15th. But it was his 25-foot putt for birdie on the 72nd hole, the par-4 18th that was heard Down Under. It gave him the clubhouse lead, until Cabrera, playing in the group behind him, matched it with a birdie of his own. After making a 12-foot putt on the second playoff hole to win the 2013 Masters, Scott was quick to credit Norman.
“He inspired a nation of golfers, anyone near to my age older and younger,” Scott said. “He was the best player in the world. He was an icon in Australia. He’s devoted so much time to myself and other young Australian players that came after him. Most of us would feel he could have slipped a green jacket on for sure. Part of this is for him because he’s given me so much time and information and belief. I drew on that a lot.”
Australians love their golf and the country has produced many talented players in addition to Norman. David Graham won the 1979 PGA Championship and the 1981 U.S. Open. Steve Elkington won the 1995 PGA Championship. Geoff Ogilvy won the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, and Stuart Appleby had four top-10s in majors, including a playoff loss to Ernie Els at the 2002 British Open. But no one had won the Masters.
That’s why Augusta National turned into a Ryder Cup of sorts yesterday. Before it was Scott against Cabrera, it was Australia against the world. The day began with countrymen Scott, Jason Day and Marc Leishman all having a chance to win the first Masters for their country, and at times it seemed like they didn’t care who won the Green Jacket as long as one of them did. But after Leishman faltered early and Day stumbled late, it would be Scott who carried the country’s flag into a playoff with Cabrera. It proved to be a terrific duel beginning at the 72nd hole, where Scott drained that long putt and screamed, “C’mon Aussies!”
Now Scott can’t wait to share it with Australia, especially Norman.
“I’m sure he’s really happy,” Scott said. “A phone conversation isn’t going to do it for us. We are really close and I’d love to have a beer with him over this one.”
C’mon Aussies indeed.
george.willis@nypost.com