Enough has already been written on the Tiger Woods incident; taking a drop two yards back from the ball’s original position and admitting to it later in his press conference. The Masters Rules Committee reviewed the incident shortly afterwards but determined nothing was untoward until an eagle-eyed HD TV viewer called Augusta later that evening.
The Rules Committee reviewed the PGA rules of golf once more and belatedly made the correct call in determining Woods had contravened Rule whatever and would be penalized two strokes which inadvertently meant that he had signed an incorrect score card which normally results in disqualification.
The Talking Heads spent most of Saturday morning debating the merits of allowing Tiger Woods to continue in the tournament. That paragon of virtue Sir Nick Faldo and former PGA journey man Branded Chamblee were in favor of disqualification.
However interpretation of the letter of the law (the recently amended PGA Rules of Golf) confirmed a two stroke penalty was sufficient. Nevertheless, Tiger Woods would have finally revealed some class and earned a host of new admirers (me included) if he owned up to his mistake and withdrew himself from the tournament.
Perhaps if he had withdrawn he could have spent his time wisely watching the playoff between Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera and learned what sportsmanship is all about and how to lose graciously without the need to curse, spit or throw clubs.
Scott handled his meltdown at last year’s Open with class and integrity. On this equally demanding stage he believed he had won the Masters with a twenty foot birdie putt on the 18th Green. Playing in the final pairing, Cabrera needed a matching birdie to tie Scott and a place in the playoff. His approach shot dropped three foot from the hole leaving a simple tap in to tie Scott. Cabrera had endured a roller coaster ride in the back nine of the final round of the Masters. He held the lead by two shots around the 10th but squandered it away over the next few holes with some indifferent shots.
He steadied the ship with a birdie at the daunting Par 3 16th which ultimately set up his chance for a play-off berth. The sporting gods were throwing everything at Cabrera during the homeward stretch, but with a few shrugs of those broad shoulders, endearing smiles and fatherly exchanges with his son who was carrying his bag, he appeared to be enjoying every moment.
As the two warriors from the Southern Hemisphere prepared to do battle for the Masters title in fading light and heavy rainfall the CBS talking heads held their own contest on who could come up with the worst cliché. Whispering Jim Nantz kept prattling on about Adam Scott’s destiny to be the first Australian to win the Masters and the whole population of the former penal colony had stayed up to watch the conclusion of the tournament.
Meanwhile Sir Nick was pontificating (no pun intended of course) on the fact that they had recently elected an Argentinian as Pope. And of course there was Lionel Messi. Well he is also Argentinian and arguably the greatest footballer in the world, and I was eating Fray Bentos corn beef five years ago.
Cabrera almost won the damn thing on the first play-off hole with an exquisite chip from the fringe. But my memorable moment of the weekend occurred on the second play-off hole. Both players hit great second shots onto the green, and Cabrera turned to Scott as they were walking down the fairway and give him thumbs up sign for e executing a great shot. Scott reciprocated with a similar gesture in the heat of battle which was a remarkable piece of mutual respect.
Cabrera was desperately unlucky to watch his putt brush the side of the hole. Scott stepped up to his putt and sunk a twenty footer to become the former Penal Colony’s first Masters Champion. The 43 year old Cabrera with the heart and soul of an ageing lion was magnanimous in defeat and embraced Scott in a bear hug recognizing a great champion.
Footnote dripping with irony: When Tiger Woods was asked to comment on the one shot penalty awarded against the 14 year old boy from China he replied: “Rules are Rules.” But in the eyes of the Augusta Elitists rules are rules depending who you are.
