I won't pretend that I am an avid golf lover. In fact, I officially gave up playing the game a few years ago, lacking the patience required to improve my game and make the endless hours on the golf course worthwhile. However, the final day of the 2012 Master's was a spectacle for all. The beautifully presented course at Augusta is a stunning sight to behold, as were some of the remarkable shots played on an electric final day. Louis Ooisthuizen's outrageous albatross on the second hole and two hole-in-ones, from Bo Van Pelt and Adam Scott, stick in the mind.
But what excited me most, was Bubba Watson's surge to Master's glory. His game flourished as the day went on, particularly down the back nine, playing some glorious approach shots to the green, as well as delighting the crowds with his unique swing style and garish, pink-headed driver. His constant level-headeness and focus throughout the round was juxtaposed by his emotional breakdown after sinking his final putt. The tears flowed freely, creating a spectacle that would surely pluck at the heartstrings of any late-night BBC viewer. Even at the presentation ceremony, Bubba struggled to contain his emotions, describing the achievement as something beyond his dreams.
Of course, there was disappointment for others, Lee Westwood among them, who came so close to finally winning his first major. For Louis Ooisthuizen to lose in a playoff must have been similarly hard to take, but Bubba held his nerve and became a deserving champion. It was a glorious finale to a fantastic Master's tournament; maybe one that will encourage a few people to consider picking the clubs up again and having another go.
