Story highlights
Adam Scott wins first tournament since May 2014
First victory with short putter since 2010
Playing in only third event since anchored putters banned
He has been plagued by the same question for almost three years, but golfer Adam Scott found an answer Sunday.
Win with a short putter and silence the doubters.
The Australian, one of the most high-profile proponents of the long putter “anchored” to the body, clinched the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic – in only his third event since the technique was outlawed on January 1.
The 35-year-old’s victory at Palm Beach Gardens was his first for 21 months, but his relief was as much to do with proving his critics wrong as ending a drought.
“Probably good for everybody who likes talking about it, absolutely,” Scott told reporters at PGA National. “And therefore, good for me… because maybe we don’t have to go over it too much anymore.”
Scott won the 2013 Masters with his “broom-handle” putter – becoming the fourth winner in six majors to do so.
But later that year golf’s governing bodies the R&A and United States Golf Association announced putters anchored to the body and not swung freely would be banned from 2016.
Despite having won 18 times around the world with a short putter before taking up the long stick five years ago, Scott was inundated with advice.
“I was pretty set with what I was doing, so I wasn’t searching, and some of the advice was fielded by everybody around me, coaches, caddies and management,” said Scott, who beat Spain’s Sergio Garcia by one stroke in Florida.
“But there was a gentleman from Canada who was very persistent, and sending me audio tapes with his secrets.
“My dad’s enjoyed listening to them. Hopefully it’s helped him.
“I think generally everyone is trying to help and genuine. But I’ve kind of said it the whole time; I don’t think it’s going to be that big a deal for me. It’s some hard work and I’m not afraid of that.”
In recognition of the ban, Scott sent one of his old broom-handled putters to Peter Dawson, the former chief executive of the R&A, who was instrumental in the decision.
“He said he greatly appreciated the gesture,” Scott added. “He said he’d put it with all the other obsolete clubs.”
