Dundonald Links, Scotland …
Adam Scott is backing a change in schedule by electing to compete in this week’s Scottish Open as pivotal in ending a 24-year Australian victory drought at next week’s Open Championship.
For a first occasion since 2oo9 the current World No. 15 is contesting a Scottish Open since sharing fourth place behind Germany’s Martin Kaymer at Loch Lomond.
It is now 24 years since Greg Norman won the 1993 Open.
In the intervening eight years Scott has otherwise preferred to spend the week of the Scottish Open playing practice rounds on the Open Championship host venue.
But not this year and with Scott having visited Royal Birkdale last week ahead of venturing to the Scottish west coast for the $US7m event and being staged for a first time on the Dundonald Links course and a sister course to Loch Lomond.
It is now five years Scott, and for all intentions purposes looking assured of a first Major triumph, spectacularly imploded when leading by four shots with four to play only to then proceed to bogey the four closing holes at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.
Scott needed to hole a 10ft par putt on the last to force a play-off with Ernie Els who came from six shots behind to win a second Open Championship by a shot over the hapless Scott.
But nine months later, Scott spectacularly made amends becoming the first Australian to win the Masters at Augusta National.
However, it is now 24-years since Greg Norman was the last Australian to be handed the famed Claret Jug by the late Gene Sarazen in 1993 and with Alan Border and his Ashes winning Australian Test Team looking on in much delighte at Royal St. Georges.
Now, and on what would also next week be the 26th anniversary of compatriot Ian Baker-Finch winning the 1991 Open Championship and also at Royal Birkdale, Scott is quietly confident a change in plans will prove fruitful.
“I’ve had a bit of a schedule change this year for lots of different reasons,” he said.
“I guess as good as any was to try and find a little better form going into the majors as the last year and a half or so, I haven’t played as well in the majors as I would have liked, and we all put so much focus on the majors now.
“But it was time to change it up because my plan wasn’t really working.
“In the past, coming over ten days before and playing The Open venues worked really well for me.
“So, with a slight schedule change and less tournament play leading up, I think I need, also, the tournament play.
“This ticks both boxes coming here to the Scottish Open, and hopefully with four days before coming here and another week coming here, that will be enough on links golf to be ready. I’ll be trying to play a few shots that I don’t normally play hopefully this week here at Dundonald.
“As well, it is exciting for me to come back and play The Scottish Open. I’ve played so many times in the past and love playing golf up here and been successful.
“So far I feel like the way I’ve been going about getting ready for the majors has been working, so hopefully this does the trick at Dundonald this week and sets me up for a really great week next week, as well.
“But it’s a great field here, too. We’re all going to be tested and good golf’s going to be required”.
Scott will contest the opening two rounds of the Scottish Open in the company of defending champion, Alex Noren of Sweden and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton
