A Failure Plummets, A Champion Prevails

Mistakes govern championship rounds. Errors erode opposition. Gaffes garrote idealists. Missteps malign challengers. No one is mistake immune. Victors simply equalize theirs.

On Sunday, Angel Cabrera survived the Masters. In a two-hole playoff, Cabrera defeated Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell. Shingo Katayama (-10) finished fourth. Phil Mickelson (-9) finished fifth. Steve Flesch, John Merrick, Steve Stricker, and Tiger Woods (-8) knotted for sixth.

With two holes remaining, Perry possessed a two-stroke advantage. Cabrera and Campbell closed with consecutive pars. Perry bogeyed hole seventeen. He bogeyed hole eighteen. His assured victory evaporated.

On the initial playoff hole, Cabrera and Perry chalked pars. Campbell was eliminated via bogey. On the second playoff hole, Cabrera recorded his fourth consecutive par. Perry recorded another bogey. His collapse was complete.

Mickelson amassed eight birdies. Unfortunately, he double bogeyed hole twelve. He misplayed holes fifteen and seventeen. Woods racked four birdies and an eagle. Unfortunately, he concluded with consecutive bogeys.

During twenty-two years, Perry has missed 43 major championships. He has scored only three top finishes. Misfortune and unluckiness have not prevented victory. Perry was simply inadequate.