Scott set for final hit-out before US Open assault

FRESH off a 48-hour reconnaissance mission to the US Open venue, Adam Scott believes this week’s US PGA Tour event in Memphis offers an ideal final examination of his game.

Scott jetted from last week’s Memorial Tournament at Columbus, Ohio, to Erin Hills in Wisconsin to familiarise himself with the 7100-metre course before it hosts a major championship for the first time next week. After his several practice rounds at Erin HIlls, world No.12 Scott then flew to Memphis to peg it up at the St Jude Classic, starting tomorrow.

With Scott revamping his international schedule to contest the tournament prior to each of the four majors in 2017, the 36-year-old returns to Memphis’ TPC Southwind for the first time since 2007.

During that first visit, Scott held the lead going into the final round before a Sunday 75 saw him finish in seventh place. The Gold Coast star believes TPC Southwind’s tee-togreen challenge is a perfect examination of his ball striking ahead of the Major.

“It’s is bit of ball-striker’s course and they’ve made some improvements to the layout, so I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like now,” Scott said.

“It’s probably one of the most underrated courses on the PGA Tour, so hopefully it will be another good test for me going into the US Open.”

Joining Scott in the field is countryman Curtis Luck.

The 20-year-old rookie receiving a sponsor’s exemption to the St Jude Classic hours before he teed up and eventually withdrew from US Open sectional qualifying in Columbus on Monday.

“It’s exciting to get another start on the Tour,” Luck said.