Bubba kicks butt while Tiger kicks club

By Tom Quiner

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eihfPcmCeXc&feature=related]

Forgive my indelicate headline. I couldn’t resist.

The 2012 Masters just ended with a spectacular victory by Bubba Watson in dramatic sudden-death. Watson started the final round three shots behind third round leader, Peter Hanson of Sweden.

He watched his playing partner, Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, make a spectacular double-eagle on the second hole to quickly vault to the lead. At one point, Watson trailed Oosthuizen by as many five strokes.

But he didn’t give up, reeling off four consecutive birdies on the back side to catch Oosthuizen and force the playoff.

They halved the first hole, with Watson winning it on the second with a par.

Here is what struck me about the Masters this year.

Bubba Watson was passionate, bursting into tears with his final putt for victory. He was a gracious winner.

Louis Oosthuizen lost with class and a stoicism which becomes a real man.

The same goes for the great Phil Mickelson, one of the pre-tournament favorites. Mickelson started the final round a shot back but quickly dropped back with a disastrous triple bogey on the fourth hole.

He didn’t give up, battling back to two shots back before he ran out of holes.

One player stood out for his lack of class and his lack of stoicism in the face of disappointment, and that is Tiger Woods.

The thirty-six year old golfing great exhibited the maturity of a teenager when he kicked his club on the sixteen hole after another poor shot.

Tiger, it’s time to grow up. Your routine is growing old.

You can watch Mr. Woods in all his glory in the video above.

Congratulations, Bubba!