Best of the Players Championship: The 25 Most Dominant Performances

Although only 23, Adam Scott had already established himself on the world stage, with victories in Scotland, Qatar, Scandinavia and at the Dunhill, along with a four-stroke win over Rocco Mediate the previous September at the Deutsche Bank.

At the Players, Scott led Frank Lickliter and Kevin Sutherland by two strokes through three rounds, increased that lead to four over Phil Mickelson at the turn, and parlayed birdies at 11 and 12 into a five-shot margin. He looked to be home free.

But things are never quite as certain as they appear on tour. The challenge came from Padraig Harrington, who had started the day five back and who lingered a seemingly hopeless eight back until Scott bogeyed the 14th after Harrington –playing ahead of him — birdied it.

Then Harrington suddenly got hot, adding another birdie at 15 and eagling the par 5 16th. When Scott posted workmanlike pars, Harrington moved within three.  His birdie at the final hole, for a back nine 30, reduced the margin to two as Scott came to the final tee.

Then things really got interesting. Scott jerked his approach left into the lake, bringing double-bogey and a playoff into play. Instead he chipped within 10 feet then calmly sank the bogey putt to preserve the one-stroke victory.