Adam Scott has put the finishing touches on his preparation for the Australian summer of golf by earning a top-five result at the PGA Tour’s Bermuda Championship.
The former world No.1 had not been to the island, which is off the east coast of the US but part of the UK, since he won the 2013 Grand Slam of Golf exhibition match at Port Royal Golf Course. On Sunday, he carded a final-round 67 there to finish at 19-under par, five shots behind emotional winner Camilo Villegas.
In 2020, the Colombian revealed through tears at a Korn Ferry Tour event that his 22-month-old daughter Mia was battling tumours on her brain and spine. “We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen,” an emotional Villegas said at the time. “She started her second round of chemo; the doctor doesn’t want to do a very detailed scan until after a third round. It’s some anxious times.” A month later, the PGA Tour announced that Mia had passed.
“Tough to put in words. What a ride, man,” Villegas said after his two-shot victory. “I love this game, it’s given me so many great things. But in the process it kicks your butt.”
It was 41-year-old Villegas’ first victory since the 2014 Wyndham Championship and fifth PGA Tour win overall. Swede Alex Noren finished second at 22-under, while German Matti Schmid was third at 21-under.
Scott registered his fifth top 10 of the year.
“I played nicely,” Scott said. “Once you’re up at 20-under, it’s splitting hairs on a shot here or there and that’s all it is for the week. Tricky conditions today, you had to be really on and I just got off to a slow start. The wind switched and maybe having not played here for a long time, just didn’t have the course knowledge early to feel super comfortable, but as the round got going it was much better.”
In a funny twist, Villegas won the tournament using a putter from Oregon-based company, LAB Golf, that Scott recommended Villegas try during a scouting trip to Quail Hollow last year prior to the Presidents Cup. Scott was on the 12-man International team while Villegas was one of captain Trevor Immelman’s assistants.
“Camilo and I were talking [on that trip] about his golf and putting and I introduced him to the LAB putter at that point; I at least gave him the contact of Sam at LAB,” he said. “He’s been putting great with it. He’s obviously very comfortable. The past couple of weeks has been incredible, so I’m stoked for Camilo. He’s such a positive guy. To see him playing well again is nice for an old mate.”
Lucas Herbert (70) was next best of the Australians, finishing in a tie for 30th at 13-under par. Cameron Percy (70) rounded out the Down Under contingent with a five-under total leaving him tied for 72nd place.
