Adam Scott's Masters Breakthrough Will Pave Way for Momentous 2013 Season

Australian Adam Scott had always been there but not quite in men's golf.

He was forever the bridesmaid but never the bride when it came to golfing majors. He was always at the wedding and always close to the action.

But he was never the one getting married.

That was until this week at Augusta National, where Scott emerged triumphant from his two-hole playoff against Angel Cabrera with the green jacket to his name.

It was as much a breakthrough and relief for Scott as it was joy and ecstasy, having come so close to ending his Majors drought before. Heartbreak at the 2011 Masters and the 2012 British Open had been quickly replaced by the celebration unfolding at Augusta National—not forgotten, just replaced.

Those memories and heartbreaks are what has made Scott as mentally tough as he is today. Without them, you'd have to wonder whether he'd be capable of recapturing his emotions following the jubilation of birdying the 18th hole and then being forced to a playoff. You'd have to wonder whether he could make those shots, with that pressure, in the pouring rain.

His heartbreak was what created his success on Sunday, and his success on Sunday will be what paves the way for a truly momentous 2013 season. 

For winning the Masters is not the end for Scott, but the beginning. It is the start of his charge to leave his imprint on the 2013 season, and he's started in very dominant fashion.

In addition to winning the Masters, Scott has totaled three top-10 and two top-three finishes from just five events in 2013.

The Australian star will be a genuine force throughout the rest of the 2013 season on tour and is a serious contender for the remaining majors this year. 

He has missed just one of his past 21 cuts, and with this newfound confidence from his Masters triumph, he will surely continue his rise up the world golf rankings—climbing as high as third following his breakthrough at Augusta National and no doubt looking at those ahead of him.

Only Tiger Woods (1st) and Brandt Snedeker (5th) can attest to having a more successful start to the year than Scott. Neither of those, however, will carry the confidence that Scott will after this weekend.

And neither of them can claim to have won a Major this year either.

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