Scott fired up for Singapore Open defence

BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2006 Singapore Open | General | 07 Sep 2006

Australian Adam Scott touched down in Singapore at dawn today just a day before he begins the defence of his Barclays Singapore Open title at Sentosa Golf Club.

He landed at about 5.30am and showed that he means business and impressed all by heading straight to the gym at the hotel. His late arrival was the result of this week’s Monday finish on the US PGA Tour.

The world number six recorded a runaway victory in Singapore last year and despite his lack of preparation for this week’s US$3 million tournament he is confident of performing well.

“I feel pretty good considering I had a pretty long trip in. I managed to have some sleep on the plane and got in and got situated at hotel, had a work out and a couple of cups of coffee later, I am buzzing,” said Scott.

“I have been playing well. I did not play my best last week – I felt pretty rundown with a cold but I am okay now. My form has been good, I am hitting the ball really well, doing everything nearly good enough but not quite (there). It has been pretty frustrating, not to have won. It has been tough to get past the Tiger,” added the Australian.

Scott won by seven strokes last year, when the tournament was also played on the Serapong course at Sentosa. He carded a spectacular six-under-par 65 in the final round, well clear of second placed Lee Westwood of England.

Westwood is also competing this week along with a host of other star players including his European Ryder Cup team mate Paul McGinley from Ireland, South Africans Ernie Els and Tim Clark and New Zealand’s Michael Campbell.

Despite being happy with his form Scott has surprisingly not won since tasting victory in Singapore last September.

“I am not sure why I have not won since here last year. It is bit of a mystery to me. Maybe looking at what Tiger (Woods) does so well – he closes when he is in position to win. The few chances I have had I have not done that. Maybe that is a bit of a learning curve for me. If I get in that position again I will have to figure out how to close the deal, knuckle down, focus and get job done,” said Scott.

A truly global golfer, Scott has won five times on The European Tour and three titles on the US PGA Tour.

He made light work of the tough Serapong course last year finishing with a four round aggregate of 13 under par.

“I have already heard the course is set up just as tough this year as last year. The rough is very long. I was a little surprised how well I dealt with that last year. I am excited, that is the way I like to see golf courses set up – national championships should be set up that way,” said the 26-year-old.

He added: “I remember a lot about the course, I hit lot of good shots. It is always a nice feeling to come back to a place you have been successful. See where you hit a lot of good shots, again. Hope those feelings come back to me. I can plan the strategy for getting it around rest of this week.”

Scott not surprisingly rates three-time Major winner Els as one of the favourites but feels he has one key advantage.

“I feel good at the moment – tonight is important. I need to make sure I get some rest. Fortunately I have an afternoon tee time tomorrow. I have time in the morning to rest rather than having to get out there early. I think I will be alright. Ernie is 36 I am only 26,” he joked.

Scott has yet to successfully defend a title and would dearly love to add that achievement to his resume this week.

“I have been playing well the last four or five months in Europe and US. It has been frustrating not to have won. I always try to defend – I have not defended one successfully yet but always put in good performances. It is a great field, Ernie Els only one of the great guys here. Exciting week, exciting for the Barclays Singapore Open,” said the young Australian.

Source – Asian Tour
Photo – Anthony Powter