ADAM SCOTT cemented his position atop the golfing world in style today with a playoff victory at the US PGA Tour’s Crowne Plaza Invitational.
Playing as the world No.1 for the first time the Aussie made it 1 from 1 by defeating reigning US PGA Champion Jason Dufner in a playoff at the Colonial golf club.
Scott became the first golfer ever to win the tour’s four big Texan events after taking the 2007 Houston Open, the 2008 Byron Nelson Championship and the 2010 Texas Open.
It was the 33 year old’s 11th US PGA Tour win and his 25th worldwide. In a red letter day for local golf, he also became the fifth Aussie to win on tour this year.
Ironically, Scott only joined the Colonial field after being elevated to the No.1 spot last week. He wanted to experience at least one tournament in that position.
It looked like it would indeed be only a seven day reign after a horror 4-over first nine start on Thursday. Henrik Stenson playing in the BMW PGA Championship in England needed only a half decent result to wrest the title. (Stenson finished T7 in England overnight meaning Scott knew he needed to finish in the top 13 to retain his position.)
After an opening round 1-over 71 Scott bounced back with scores of 68-66-66 to finish regulation on 9-under with Dufner, who snagged a 25 foot birdie putt on the last to force the playoff.
The pair played three playoff holes in a Presidents Cup like atmosphere with sections of the crowd yelling “USA,USA,USA” in support of Dufner and Australian interests responding with the “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” chant.
After they both parred the first playoff hole (18th) Scott gained momentum when he sunk an 11 foot birdie to putt to put pressure on Dufner, who had put his approach within four feet.
They both went back to the 18th with birdies where Scott played a magnificent approach to within feet of the flag. Dufner couldn’t convert his long range attempt and Scott slotted his birdie putt home.
Afterward, it was great to hear world golf’s No.1 say to his American TV greenside interviewer: “Good on you, thanks mate!”
Scott was clearly ecstatic with his win and to retain the number one ranking for who knows how long.
“This is a really special week for me,” Scott said. “It was, no matter what happened here. But to kind of find my way back into this tournament, around this golf course — it’s a real honor to win here. It’s a beauty.”
What a great way to stamp your first week at world #1 with a win. Well done to my mate Adam Scott w/win at Colonial on @PGATOUR. Oi Oi Oi.
— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) May 25, 2014
2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational Leaderboard