Adam Scott has defended his decision not to contest next month’s Barclays Singapore Open.
Scott is the tournament’s defending champion while the Australian was also successful on the tiny island nation in 2005 and 2006 when the tournament was not co-sanctioned with the European Tour.
Adam Scott defends decision not to defend his Barclays Singapore Open title.
However the 31-year old Queenslander is torn between defending in Singapore and competing in his own Australian Open being staged in Sydney the same week.
Scott won the 2009 Australian Open but this year’s tournament is set to be the best since the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player graced the fairway’s premier golfing event being staged again this year at The Lakes course in Sydney.
Scott spoke with Barclays Singapore Open officials indicating the situation he is faced with the Australian Open also being purposely moved to the week before the Presidents Cup.
“Not only was I due to defend in Singapore but I have won there twice before, so it’s a tournament that has been really rewarding for me,” he said.
“I was put in a tricky situation of playing either in Singapore or in Sydney.
“I wanted to play to Singapore as it’s important to me as I have charity foundation based in Singapore, and I’m not going to be there this year.
“So it was a tough decision and besides the Australian Open is going to be good preparation for the Presidents Cup, and it will be a little easier travel wise.
“I’m very excited about playing in the Australian Open, and if I was to win the Stonehaven Cup again that would be amazing.
“I know Greg’s (Norman) pleased I am playing in Sydney rather than Singapore, and it’s very unfortunate it’s on the same week.
“Also I know I hope to get a lot moe chances to go back and play in Singapore because I really love it up there.”
Scott confirmed also he will remain in Australia after the Presidents Cup and contest the following week’s Australian PGA Championship where he will join reigning British Open winner, Darren Clarke along with exciting young American Rickie Fowler in the Coolum field.
However Scott will be skipping the Australian Masters being staged the week prior to Christmas at the Victoria Club in Melbourne.
“It’s very late in the year and it’s at a time when most of us want to shut down, and for that reason I feel very unfortunate for the Australian Masters,” he said.
“The event has grown so much in the past couple of years, and helped also by Tiger winning the tournament in 2009 but they’re now in a tough situation.
“My only hope is that something can be worked out a better schedule scenario moving forward so that we don’t these awkward situations of having to play the week before Christmas.”
