The first South American Masters Champion

Angel Cabrera had already proven his place on the world stage by winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. He didn’t need to don the Green Jacket in order to make his career, but it sure looks great on him.  His countrymen call him El Pato- The Duck, and today the Argentine is swimming in praise. 

His win, in effect, puts to bed one of the worse blemishes in Master’s history, that being countryman Roberto de Vincenzo signing an incorrect scorecard at the  1968 Masters.  He missed out on a playoff against eventual champion Bob Goalby.   Cabrera flashed his award winning smile after beating Kenny Perry on the 2nd playoff hole.  Yet this might be a tournament best remembered for Perry losing, not Cabrera winning.  

After almost holing out his tee shot on the par-3 16th, Perry, with a 2-stroke lead and two holes to play, proceeded to bogey his way home, including an especially bad third shot and the 17th and second shot at the 18th.  Chad Campbell the early tournament leader dropped out  of the playoff on the first extra hole and that left Cabrera and Perry to fight it out on the Par-4 10th.  After Perry hit his approach short and left (a la Len Mattiace) and Angel hit the green in regulation, it was all mop up duty. 

What do you think of Perry’s collapse or more importantly Cabrera’s second major championship victory.

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