Dunno if he has the consistency to win anymore. Maybe.
I watched him closely on the range and during the final round of the AO in November. He was creaming the driver (as usual) but pulling or blocking some of his irons and his wedges were terrible.
He was leading but you just knew he was gonna struggle in the final round. Consistency.
He's becoming quite disappointing, Adam. Another flop in the vital final rounds with a par 70 Rd.3 and +1/ 71 for Rd.4. Worst final round by any Aussie with MWL and Herbie finishing ahead with final rounds of 65 and 66 respectively, while Cam Davis finishing 3 behind Uncle Adam but with a final Rd. 63!
Great to see he gave MWL a lift in his private jet (never knew he had one!!) once he qualified after strong last major performance. But it's a lot of things with Scottie. Putting supposed to be much improved but it still lets him done when the pressure really comes on: poor reads (some terrible like one on the front 9 today from about 4/5m that ended over a metre left of and past the hole); poor pace - either fails to get them to the hole when on target, or misses close but they run too far past, bringing bogies. Overall, even McIroy and Scheffler are still better putters despite their current troubles.
Then there's his course management: really odd at times. In I think it was Rd.2 on that 299yd hole that he could have easily reached with his 3wd, saw him hit driver. Great hit - nearly hit the flag - except flew well over the green and downhill at the back into a drainage hole probably 25m past. Free drop but took 2 to get on the green since very steep, still not close and missed the return putt ... for a bogey. Is he just stupid or what? Why not 3wd?
Today, only 1 birdie on the front 9 - that's not going to cut it on this course in this company, because of missing his gettable putts. Played the 11th at his best - great, long, straight drive and approach shot to about 1m for birdie even he couldn't miss. Then - not that the usual crappy coverage of "Ossie" would show you much - but whacked his very next drive way left up against a boundary fence, penalty drop, another bogey. Immediately after a great birdie - when looked to be playing very steadily but just not converting opportunities at the crunch ... per usual these days. It's just like implosion every time now.
I just find it bizarre that a guy with that talent, that swing, able to afford all the support and assistance possible, huge experience - just keeps on making such elementary mistakes. Hitting that one into the lake on day 1 that 'must have caught an inexplicable gust of wind' just another example.
What the heck. He's worth millions but ... can't see him ever winning a significant event again. He'll keep making a heap of money with some middling finishes then might continue doing so on the Champions Tour. Overall, though, the fire in the belly is gone IMHO and he just lacks anywhere near the consistency to beat the talented crop of younger players now gradually stepping up to dominate the future. It's like his brain fades are just his own downfall and have been for quite a while now.
Ultimately another modern Aussie player that never achieved anything close to his capabilities re Majors ... much like Norman and others.
