October 11, 2013 at 1:55 a.m.
Lowdown on the fab four out for Slam glory
Age: 33
Country: Australia
World ranking: 2
Key stats: Scott is fifth in rankings for birdies on par fives so watch out for him on the second, seventh and 17th. He is also 11th in greens in regulation.
Wins in 2013: Masters, The Barclays.
Top 10s: 6
Bermuda record: Debut
Famous for: Chiselled surfer-boy good looks, once dating tennis player Ana Ivanovic, his Shawshank Redemption-style celebration after winning the Masters following his gut-wrenching choke at The Open a year earlier.
He said: “It’s [Green Jacket] here with me. It comes pretty much everywhere. I wear it in my hotel room all the time just by myself.”
They said: “I think he’ll go on to win more major championships than any other Australian golfer. He’ll catapult himself now. Adam can go on to win more major championships because of his age and because of his experience and because he’s finally got one under his belt.” — Greg Norman
Jason Dufner
Age: 36
Country: USA
World ranking: 10
Key stats: Putting from 10-15 ft is laser-like and sixth best on the PGA Tour but inside 5ft he is 164th and can get the wobbles; he made 163 birdies on the par fours this year, making 163 birdies this year — 7th best.
Wins in 2013: USPGA.
Top 10s: 5
Bermuda record: Debut
Famous for: Showing the minimum of human emotion on course; the Dufnering craze that started when he was caught, gormless teddy bear-style, slumped up against the wall in a kids’ classroom; tapping his missus on the backside as he walked off the final green at the USPGA.
He said: “I still took the trash out on Tuesday morning and we actually got a new puppy... so not too much has changed.” – Jason Dufner after his Major win
They said: “You know, the friendship with Duf is cool because we’re going to have that forever, me and him in that playoff.” Keegan Bradley, who beat Dufner in the USPGA playoff in 2011.
Padraig Harrington
Age: 42
Country: Ireland
World ranking: 98
Key stats: Seven missed cuts in 2013 but despite his struggles this season remains the best putter from over 25ft on the PGA Tour.
Wins in 2013: None
Top 10s: 3
Bermuda record: Winner in 2012 and second in 2007, 2008
Famous for: Retaining the Claret Jug in 2008 and then winning the USPGA just three weeks later; being a six-time Ryder Cup player; appearing insanely happy even when his game is off.
He says: “Whenever I’ve played my best golf in the past, I’ve generally felt quite fearful about the state of my game. But because there’s no fear at the moment, I’m not bringing much of a spark out onto the course.”
They say: “He's a world player, he's won three major championships and the stature of the guy is second to none within our team.” – former Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomery.
Justin Rose
Age: 33
Country: English
World ranking: 5
Key stats: Statistically the best ball-striker on the PGA Tour and 3rd in greens in regulation from over 200 yards. Also, the best on Tour a getting the ball close from the sand.
Wins in 2013: US Open
Top 10s: 6
Bermuda record: Debut
Famous for: Taking 21 events to make his first cut as a professional; his Ben Hogan-esque approach shot on the last at this year’s US Open (he used a four iron), being an all-round good egg.
He says: “I saw my ball in the fairway and I thought 'this is my moment'. I have seen that Ben Hogan photograph a million times and suddenly it was me with an iron into the fairway and two putts to win the US Open.”
They say: “You can just see in a guy when he’s ready and that he wants it, too. I saw that in Justin. The good thing about me winning the Masters for him was that it fired him up probably even more. — good friend Adam Scott.
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