Surfing champion inspires Scott to aim high
ADAM Scott says three rounds of golf with surfing icon Kelly Slater have inspired him to lift his game on the US PGA Tour this season.
Scott played in the same group as 11-time world champion Slater during the first three days of the celebrity-laden Pebble Beach Pro Am in California.
Gold Coast’s former world No.1 bogeyed the 18th to sign for a one-under- par 71 and his two-under total means he fails to advance to the final round by one shot.
He finished a distant 13 shots behind 54-hole leader Paul Casey at 15 under.
But as 38-year-old Scott continues his climb back up golf’s world rankings following a lean 2018, he says he learned some lessons from Slater about longevity.
Slater owns the record for the youngest (20) and oldest surfer to win a world title, last claiming it as a 39-year-old in 2011.
“His record speaks for itself; the greatest in every sport does things no-one else can,” Scott said.
“There are phenomenal athletes and I compared (Slater) to Tiger (Woods) in our sport for a while.
“There is a competitive drive inside and they refuse to let age hold them back.”
Searching for his second major title to go with his historic 2013 Masters victory, Scott said Slater inspired him to take more risks when in contention this year.
“It’s just a reminder, even to play golf, to win tournaments, you have to enjoy the uncomfortable spots,” Scott, whose winless drought stretches back to March 2016, said.