Brett Rumford has drawn on the inspiration of fellow Australian Adam Scott capturing last fortnight’s Masters to win the Ballantine’s Championship.

The Perth-born Rumford overcame a horrible 71st hole double bogey to brilliantly eagle the first extra play-off hole and become the first Ausrtralian in two years to win on the European Tour.

‘Rummy’, as he’s affectionately known, was asked soon after his victory in South Korea if he drew inspiration from Scott’s stunning Masters success.

“Yeah, definitely, I’ve known Scotty since I was mid teens, early teens,” he said.  “But Scotty always possessed that extreme ability and talent, even shun through back in those days as juniors.

“It’s been really inspiring to see someone obviously come through the process, start here in Europe for a few years and then obviously work his way through the ranks of professional golf.  He’s just done it with so much class and style, and so much grace, as well.

“At the British Open, obviously that was hard for all Australians to take, and I’m sure it was just as hard, more so for Adam.  But it just was probably just as inspiring to actually see Adam, the way he actually took defeat at the British Open, I think that was just as inspiring and commendable is what it was in his victory and how much want he has to win.

“So you could see that from his first major and that want still would have been there at the British Open.

“And to actually lose it like that, yeah, look, he took that amazingly well.  Chin was up, shoulders back and just took it.  And to come back so soon, as well, it’s just, it’s incredible.  You can’t talk highly enough of the men.

“Hopefully this obviously enables Scotty to move on from here.  Obviously with this win, as well, I need to build my own game and my own confidence.
Obviously that’s a level that’s ‑‑ seemingly getting into the majors is what you need to do first, so that level is what I need to achieve.  Obviously getting Top‑50 in the world, that’s my next goal, and obviously just to improve my golf game just in general and all‑around, obviously to be able to compete in these bigger events”.

Australia’s Brett Rumford draws on inspiration from Adam Scott’s Masters triumph to secure victory in the 2013 Ballantine’s Championship. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)