Meltdowns, chokers and trips to the river, but it's not all gloom for Adam Scott

The mental scars are too deep. How can anyone possibly recover from an experience as harrowing as that. When he birdied the 14th he had a four-shot lead; when he dribbled that eight-foot knee-knocker at 18 past the cup he handed victory to Ernie Els instead. He then had to hang around and endure watching the South African being given the Claret Jug. A more appropriate ending would have seen him led away by a couple of nice ladies in white coats.

But is it as bad as all that? Let's look at what happened to a few others.

What happened?

Coming to the last hole at Philadelphia Country Club, Snead needed just a par to win. Instead, he triple-bogeyed, handing the victory to Byron Nelson.

And what happened next?

Snead had a stellar career, winning a record 82 US PGA Tour events over the next 26 years. He also collected seven major titles. However, the US Open was the one major he never won, finishing runner-up on four occasions.

What happened?

Norman had already established his reputation as a choker before he came to Augusta. However, even his strongest critics thought he would get the green jacket when he held a six-shot lead after three rounds. Instead, Norman shot a 78 to Nick Faldo's 67 and the Englishman took the title.

And what happened next?

Norman had top-10 finishes in the next two majors. However, his career was already on the wane and he could not add to his two Open titles he already had. Made a spectacular comeback at Birkdale in 2008 but fell back on the final day.

What happened?

The American only had to hole a 30-inch downhill putt on the last green at St Andrews to take the claret jug. He missed. It was probably the most famous missed putt in the history of the sport. "There but for the grace of God . . ." said Henry Longhurst in his commentary.

And what happened next?

Sanders still had to face Jack Nicklaus in a play-off, but the Golden Bear won by one shot. Sanders won a couple more US Tour events but was never really a force again. Still, he has dined out on the moment: "I've put it behind me," he says. "Sometimes I can go a whole two minutes without thinking about it."

What happened?

The Frenchman had been in marvellous form at Carnoustie. Coming to the 72nd hole, he had a three-shot lead, but he blew it spectacularly in a sequence of events in which he even rolled up his trousers and stepped into a burn. He used up all his lead with a triple-bogey 7.

And what happened next?

Van de Velde lost the play-off to Paul Lawrie. In terms of recognition, however, he made more of his failure than Lawrie made of his success. Van de Velde was subsequently troubled by back injuries, but he made a notable return to the spotlight when he won the 2006 Madeira Island Open.

What happened?

The most popular player in the game was the people's favourite at Olympic Club and it looked like a victory parade was in store when he reached the turn with a seven-stroke lead. Then, though, it all started to go wrong as he shot 39 on the back nine. Billy Casper closed the gap and drew level to force a play-off.

And what happened next?

Casper won the play-off by four shots. Palmer's best days were already behind him and he could not add to the seven majors he had already won. However, he continued to contend and had a handful of top-10s over the next few years.

What happened?

The young Northern Irishman was the sensation of the tournament, shooting rounds of 65, 69 and 70 to take a four-shot lead into the final day. Then, though, his nerve failed him as he posted an error-strewn round of 80 to slump to 15th place.

And what happened next?

McIlroy had a succession of poor finishes in routine tour events over the next few weeks, but he bounced back at the US Open in June, when he all but lapped the field on his way to winning his first major by eight strokes.

What happened?

In the penultimate match at Kiawah Island, Langer had a six-foot putt to beat Hale Irwin and retain the trophy for Europe. Always suspect on the greens, he missed. His reaction suggested he would take a long time to recover.

And what happened next?

He took a week. Seven days after his Ryder Cup nightmare, Langer won the German Masters. He would go on to win many more top tournaments, including the 1993 Masters.

What happened?

Tied with Lee Trevino for the lead after 70 holes at Muirfield, and with Trevino in trouble, Jacklin looked to be cruising. But Trevino chipped in from off the green and the Englishman three-putted for a bogey. Trevino then parred the last, where Jacklin finished with a bogey.

And what happened next?

Jacklin, then just 28, did seem to be ruined by the experience. The brightest star in British golf, he faded quickly. Jacklin won a few European tour events but never had another top-10 in a major.

What happened?

Watson had moved to the front of the field at Winged Foot with a third-round 69. Then, though, came a calamitous sequence of bogeys and final-round 79. He dropped back to fifth place, with Hale Irwin taking the title.

And what happened next?

Straight afterwards, golf legend Byron Nelson approached Watson in the locker room and offered his help as a coach and mentor. The following year, Watson won the Open, the first of his eight major titles, with a brilliant display at Carnoustie.

What happened?

Unknown driving-range pro McAvoy, also known as Kevin Costner, shot 83-62-64 over the first three days. Coming to the water-guarded final hole, his caddie wanted him to lay up, but McAvoy wanted to finish in style so he went for the green. Time and again, he hit into the pond but holed out for a 12 with the last ball in his bag.

And what happened next?

He got to snog Rene Russo. And then the credits rolled on Tin Cup, one of the best golf films ever (though the competition is not exactly tough). McAvoy was never heard of again, but the following year, Costner won the Razzle awards for worst actor, worst picture, worst director and worst original song for The Postman.