Adam Scott is on track for next month's Masters after he finished a highly-credible tied-fourth in the WGC Cadillac Championship behind the American Dustin Johnson.
Scott closed with a 71 at Doral's Blue Monster course today to finish four-under overall, five shots off the pace.
But he will jump a spot in the world rankings to No. 4, leapfrogging Jason Day as the top Australian.
More importantly he completed a strong week with a new caddie, Mike Kerr, a new regulation-length putter and no form to speak of. It was his first tournament since the Australian PGA Championship last December.
“I was really happy with the way I took my game out of a break and back into play and certainly made my share of putts this week, which felt good switching back to a shorter putter,'' he said."Maybe (the) lack of competition just didn't get me over the line on the back nine today when I could have snuck in and posted a number.''
Scott began the day eight shots back and out of the running, with JB Holmes the runaway leader.
But Holmes faltered on the final day leaving Johnson, who has just returned from a six-month break from the tour because of personal issues, to secure a redemptive victory. Johnson, who began the final round five shots back from Holmes, carded a 69 to win by a shot. Holmes had a three-over par 75 to miss a big opportunity.
"It means everything," Johnson said. "It's been a tough road but I played really good. It feels awesome to get that 'W'. I played great today."
Of the other Australians, Jason Day was best at three-over, tied for 31st.
Scott has two more tournaments — the Valspar Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational — in the lead-up to Augusta National and the Masters, and told reporters that he intended using the regulation putter for the Masters. “I think I putted very well overall and feel very comfortable with where I'm at with it. I've got to test it the next couple weeks again, and hopefully it keeps improving and I'll be a red-hot putter by the Masters,”he said.
Meanwhile two Australians logged top-10s on the secondary web.com Tour. Steve Allan was second in Colombia and Oliver Goss tied-10th.
Veteran Rod Pampling finished tied-10th at the Puerto Rico Open, a full United States PGA Tour event.