CHARLIE MULQUEEN: Final day masterclass rescues a forgettable Major for the Irish

JUST when the 77th Masters was in danger of being regarded as one of the flattest for years, it was saved by the dramatic birdie-fest over the closing holes that saw Adam Scott pip Angel Cabrera.

Just as Scott, who has jumped to third in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, proved a very worthy winner, the sporting manner in which Cabrera accepted defeat considerably enhanced the 43-year-old grandfather’s stature while helping to redeem the image of the game after the regrettable developments surrounding Tiger Woods’s dodgy drop on Friday.

The thrilling finale just about made up for the absence of the drama and excitement normally associated with this marvellous sporting occasion over the previous 71 holes. The failure of marquee names Woods, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson to get involved at the top of the leaderboard contributed to the sense of anti-climax while the snail’s pace of play on the first two days proved a major downer for players, fans and television viewers alike.

Pádraig Harrington has never been known as the Speedy Gonzalez of the golf course but even he had to bite his lip and keep his counsel when his group had to wait for half an hour on the fourth tee on Friday. And yet, even the high priests of the game and its leading exponents don’t know what to do about slow play.

John Paramor, chief referee of the European Tour, drew the wrath of the golfing world when penalising the 14-year-old Chinese star Tianlang Guan a stroke on the 17th on Friday.

“To make an example of a 14-year-old on a course that is the ultimate test of golf is not fair,” argued Graeme McDowell. “It’s sending out the wrong message.”

“Not so,” said Harrington, “I feel for him because this situation is new to him but he has to play by the same rules as everyone else.”

Perhaps our enjoyment of the Masters would have been more positive had any of our quartet made a worthwhile challenge. If little was expected of amateur Alan Dunbar, a lot was expected from McIlroy, McDowell and Harrington.

McIlroy battled hard to make the cut and get into contention only to spoil everything with two sevens on the back nine on Saturday. With the damage done and the pressure off, he coasted round in 69 to tie for 25th.

“It’s one of these golf courses where you can shoot 65 in a heartbeat but all of a sudden you go for a few shots and you’re staring double and triple bogey in the face,” is the accurate way Rory summed up his contrasting fortunes over the final two rounds.

It wasn’t surprising that McDowell failed to make an impression because he lacks the kind of game suited to Augusta National. Prior to last week, he had missed the cut in three of his previous five visits and 12th place in 2012 proved deceptive.

Open and honest as ever, G-Mac wasn’t for arguing the point.

“I don’t have the 300 yard draw shot,” he said. “For me to compete at Augusta, I have to putt really well and I didn’t do that.”

Harrington’s assessment of the week was never likely to be as straightforward and you could sense the hand of his mind coach Dr Bob Rotella at work in the Dubliner’s reaction.

“I’m not looking back and thinking I should have done anything different which is always a nice sign at a major,” he reasoned. “I am putting and chipping better and I leave here in good stead.”

While the Tiger Woods controversy absorbed everyone’s mind and consumed hours of air time, the manner in which he was allowed remain in the tournament left a sour taste with many people, especially as a penalty was imposed on a young amateur for an infringement which most of the field were equally guilty of.