With the Masters taking place this week why not take a look back at Bubba's incredible win last year at Augusta.

 

The tournament opened with some great first round scores. Lee Westwood, in search for his first career major win, posted a -5 (67) to take the 18 hole lead. Bubba sat in a tie for 4^th with a -3 (69).

 

Round two saw even more guys rise to the front. Jason Dufner followed up his first round 69 with a 70 to get to a tie for the lead at -5. He was tied with fan favorite Freddy Couples who matched Westwood's round one 67 after a first round of even par 72 for Couples. That was good enough to be in a two way tie for the lead after 36 holes. Westwood dropped one shot back to a tie with the surging Rory, Sergio Garcia, the even for the round Oosthuizen, and the eventual champ Watson.

 

Saturday was moving day as per usual. Two guys went really low to take the final pairing away from the guys who had been there throughout the first two rounds. Peter Hanson fired off a third round 65 to make up for his +2 (74) in the second round and assume the lead at -9 overall. To be paired with him in the final group of the final round was Phil Mickelson. His 66 was enough to put him just one shot back and in prime shape to capture another green jacket.

 

Sunday came and Phil choked. He posted a triple bogey on the sixth hole to take himself out of contention where he finished two shots back in a tie for 3^rd.

 

Down the stretch the tournament came down to three guys, Watson, Oosthuizen and Kuchar. Kuchar had been consistent throughout the tournament with scores of 71-70-70 in the first three rounds. He pulled to a tie with Louis Oost, after he eagled the 15^th. However after bogeying the 16^th hole he fell too far back. He finished tied with Phil two shots back.

 

That left Louis Oost and Bubba Watson in the quest for the green jacket. Playing together in the penultimate group it made for some fireworks. Bubba birdied 16 for his fourth consecutive to tie Oost at -10. They both parred 17 and both missed birdie putts on 18 forcing a playoff.

 

The first sudden death playoff hole was to re play the 18^th. They both did more of the same and narrowly missed birdie putts forcing a second playoff hole this time the 10^th.

 

Both guys hit wayward tee shots. Oost was forced to layup short of the green. The left handed Watson was forced to hit out of the pine straw in what seemed to be an impossible shot. You all remember the shot I'm sure but he hooked this thing nearly 90 degrees to within 10 feet. After Oost chipped past and missed his putt Bubba had two putts for the title. He lagged one close and tapped in securing his first even Major title and one of the more memorable moments/shots of all time.

 

mlz

Sunday, April 7, 2013