USA TODAY International Edition
Rejuvenated Scott eager to defend title
Returning to form, golfer happy to be at PGA National
GARDENS, FLA. PALM BEACH Seems all Adam Scott needed was a change of scenery to see a change in his game.
In his first start on the PGA Tour this year, Scott had a so- so time at Riviera Country Club north of Los Angeles in last weekend’s Genesis Open. His usually stellar tee- to- green game was a tad wayward as he knocked off rust after a refreshing break from the game. While he managed a tie for 11th, Scott wasn’t pleased when he left one of his favorite venues in the world, labeling his outing as good and bad.
But his mood perked up as soon as he stepped onto the grounds at PGA National Resort & Spa. It was here where he won last year’s Honda Classic, holding off Sergio Garcia and holding up against a wind- swept and hazardfilled Champion Course for a onestroke victory. The win was the first of a two- week Florida blitz for the 13- time PGA Tour winner as he captured the next week’s World Golf Championships- Cadillac Championship at Doral.
“Good memories from last year,” Scott said Wednesday after his pro- am round. “Some of my best golf I’ve ever played … was here last year. So as soon as I stepped on a few tees, I’ve seen a few better shots than I’ve been watching last week. Just got that good feeling coming back, and I’m quite happy with where things sit after last week.”
Scott, 36, also saw a good many nice shots on the practice range as he ironed out a few deficiencies in his game, especially with his driver.
But the world’s No. 7- ranked golfer didn’t enjoy seeing every tee during his practice round and the pro- am. Then again, there aren’t many players who like to gaze at the Bear Trap, a threehole stretch of mean starting on the 15th. Last year, Scott made a 7 on the par- 3 15th in the third round as he deposited two balls into the water hazard guarding the green. He managed to shoot 4- under- par 66.
With his swing back on plane, Scott, as has been the case for the last six years, is presently eying the Masters. After racking up 11 top- 10 finishes in the majors from 2011 to 2015, including capturing his lone major title in the 2013 Masters, his best finish last year in the game’s four biggest events was a tie for 18th in the PGA Championship. That pushed Scott to change his schedule this year as he will play the week before each of the majors.
That means he’ll play this week’s Honda Classic, next week’s WGC- Mexico Championship and the Shell Houston Open the week before driving down Magnolia Lane. It’s not a tiring schedule, which is exactly the way Scott wants it to be.
“A big focus for me, obviously, is the majors, and I think I’ll be very fresh when I get to Augusta,” he said.
Especially now that the rust is off his game.