Scott scoops 2011 WGC Bridgestone Invitational

Scott wins first world title
ADAM SCOTT put on a virtuoso performance to win the 2011 World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.

 

Showing his new found flair with the broomstick putter and with the obvious urgings of his new caddie Steve Williams, Scott shot a five-under par 65 to beat the world class field by four strokes.

Scott said he was “stoked” with the win and with the patience he had displayed during what was a bogey free round.

“To win here at a world golf championship, it’s huge,” the 31 year old said. “I’ve been enjoying coming here for a few years but to finally win on this track is great.”

Scott finished on 17 under, the lowest score at the championship since 2000. It was his eight PGA Tour win and his first world title.

In second place on 13-under after firing joint 66’s were young American Rickie Fowler and current world No.1 Luke Donald, who emerged with a late run.

Ryo Ishikawa and Jason Day had earlier seemed the major threats but both fell away. Their 69’s saw them tied for fourth.

Day was hitting the ball well but just couldn’t sink a putt. The 23 year old was full of praise for his elder rival.

“Yeah, I walked on the range this morning, and he [Scott] looked confident. He looked — I knew he was going to be tough to beat today, and he was hitting it great on the range, too. I hear that he didn’t make a bogey, which is phenomenal out there in the last round of a very big event. So you know, he deserves it, definitely.”

Unusually, Scott’s caddie Steve Williams was interviewed by the American television network straight after the win and really put the cat among the pigeons by saying “it was my best win ever” and “the greatest week of my caddying in my life.”

Strong sentiments, especially since the Kiwi had accompanied the winner of the event on seven previous occasions – not to mention the 13 majors and nine other world championship wins. But that was with another golfer, one Williams is obviously not looking at too favourably at present.

Scott on the other hand was more than happy with his new pairing. Asked about Williams’ influence on his win, Scott said: “Around this place are you kidding me. He knows this place better than anyone.”

Scott and Day should now be full of confidence when they head this week to the year’s final major, the 2011 PGA Championship in Atlanta.

Also buoyed will be Aaron Baddeley, who hit a final round 65 to be the next best Australian at eight-under in a tie for 11th.

Geoff Ogilvy (67) and Richard Green (70) finished at 1-over while Robert Allenby (70) was 3-over.

Stuart Appleby’s final round of 72 was his best of a  tournament he will be hoping to quickly forget.

[box type=”info”]Scott is the third Australian to win a WGC event after Geoff Ogilvy (three times) and Craig Parry[/box]

Adam Scott 2011 WGC Bridgestone Media Conference (18 Minutes)

 

Leave a Reply