Australia’s Adam Scott was probably wishing he had stayed at home with his chances of becoming World No. 1 not being helped when he finished double bogey, double bogey on the opening day of the Players Championship.
Scott celebrated the 10th anniversary of his 2004 TPC Sawgrass not the way he wanted in signing for a horror five over par 77.
The effort sent the World No. 2 tumbling to near the back of the field in a share of 133rd in the 144-player field and the likelihood now of missing the halfway cut in the $US 10m event.
Scott posted three birdies, two bogeys and three double bogeys with his other double coming at the par five eighth hole.
Adam Scott on route to posting a shock five over par 77. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
It was just the fifth time in his career, and the first time since the second round of the 2009 Memorial tournament, a span of 315 rounds, Scott had carded three doubles.
Scott arrived in Florida, and in his first tournament since his defence of the Masters, knowing that he needed to finish top-16 to become the first Australian since boyhood hero, Greg Norman to take over the World No. 1 crown.
But while Scott was not interested in finishing 16th and just concentrating on winning in order to go past the injured and absent Tiger Woods, the Queenslander didn’t count on signing for a 77.
It was Scott’s worst round since a similar 77 in the 2012 Jack Nicklaus hosted Memorial
“I haven’t really thought about it (No.1) at all as it’s not been my focus,” said Scott.
“I really believe it’s part of the process. I didn’t tee off today thinking about No.1 because there is 72 holes before that could happen.
“It was not the finish I needed. To hit two in the water at the end is a bit of a sin around here, but it happens so I just have to go out and have a good round in the morning.
“I played all right but didn’t putt very well and compounded that with poor shots on the last couple of holes and at a course like this it can get away from you that quick.”
Scott will tee up on day two lying a massive 14 shots adrift of former World No. 1 Martin Kaymer who heads the field by two shots after matching Norman’s course record that the ‘Great White Shark’ shared with Americans Fred Couples and Roberto Castro.
