Adam Scott claimed a four shot victory at last year's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Here, in an excerpt from The European Tour Yearbook 2012, we recap how the Australian claimed the year's third WGC in Ohio.
Rarely in the history of golf can so much interest have centred on the man carrying the bag of the winner rather than on the champion himself, but that was exactly the scenario which unfolded in the wake of Adam Scott’s victory in the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational.
It was, however, unsurprising, given the fact the caddie in question was Steve Williams who had been at the side of Tiger Woods in his pomp, gathering 62 titles worldwide including seven victories at Firestone Country Club in a 12 year partnership.
But with that relationship at an end, Williams was ecstatic as his new boss produced a superb four shot victory whose foundation was laid with a sensational opening round of 62 and which was closed out with impressive weekend figures of 66-65 for a 17 under par total of 263.
Yet, despite his eventual dominance, Scott – who claimed his eighth European Tour victory in total – had to battle hard in the final round. Twice he was caught on the front nine, firstly by his fellow Australian Jason Day and secondly by Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa, but responded both times to pull away.
Turning for home, birdies at the tenth, 12th and 14th gave Scott a comfortable cushion and a closing birdie at the final hole put the seal on his success. American Rickie Fowler and England’s Luke Donald matched each other’s closing 66s to leapfrog into a tie for second place with Day and Ishikawa sharing fourth.
To order your copy of The European Tour Yearbook 2012, a 240-page, full colour hardback Official Publication with iconic pictures by Getty Images and essays from some of the game's top writers that takes you every step of the way through 52 tournaments and 29 destinations on The 2011 Race to Dubai, click here.
