Shell Houston Open

Stuart Appleby has played his way back into good form after a slow start this year. Sunday's final round at Houston was fantastic spectators golf. Both Adam Scott and Stuart were paired together at 11 under par, 3 shots behind Bubba Watson. Adam birdies the 1st hole and then Stuart and he traded birdies and were both 4 under for the day and in the lead after 7 holes. For the next few holes the birdies dried up until Adam birdied the 12th and then Stuart the 13th. Adam made a 10 footer for par and 14 and Stuart missed his par. They both birdied 15 and then Adam broke 2 clear after Stuart 3 putted the 16th. Apples came back strong with a birdie at 17 to get within 1 and then the 18th was a debarkle. First Apples drove into the fairway bunker but had a good lie and then Scotty pulled his into the water. It looked as if all Stuart had to do was hit his second on the green and then there would be a playoff. Stuart went for the kill by going straight at the pin and he pulled his into the water. Scotty found the right side of the green safely and then holed a 40 foot putt for par for what ended up a 3 shot victory. But it was much closer than the end result. We flew to Augusta last night and I have to say with the most confidence I have had for Apples game in a few years. Ther are now 5 australians in the top 20 players in the World and quite a few experts are predicting an Australian win at the Masters from one of them to break the Aussie drought at this major.