Masters champ’s game needed major overhaul

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/06/2013 (4810 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ARDMORE, Pa. — Adam Scott can understand why so many people thought he would have a hard time getting over his epic collapse in the British Open.

They didn’t understand his master plan of trying to get better — not just trying to get better results.

Ernie Els walked away from Royal Lytham & St. Annes with a silver claret jug. Scott walked away believing he finally was capable of winning a major, and it wasn’t just a pep talk to soothe the shock over losing a four-shot lead with four holes to play.

“I think if I sat there and watched someone else do what I did, it would have been devastating,” Scott said Monday. “It’s maybe more apparent to me now that you were all surprised that I wasn’t just shattered. But honestly, that’s not how I felt.”

In a decision that reshaped his career, Scott decided two years ago to play a limited schedule and practise smarter so that he would be ready for the biggest events. That Sunday afternoon at the British Open, despite the ugly finish, showed him he was on the right track. He promised that day the next time — and he was certain there would be a next time — he would finish the job.

The change came early in 2011, when he was frustrated with the direction of his game, especially in the majors. Even though he reached as high as No. 3 in the world, he never seriously challenged in the Grand Slam events. He huddled with swing coach and longtime friend Brad Malone.

“He could see the frustration, so he just essentially eliminated things that frustrated me and made everything a positive. Just set things up so golf was incredibly enjoyable for me and I was getting better all the time,” Scott said

Scott’s story had a happy ending.

At his hideaway in the Bahamas, the Australian starts each day by slipping on the green jacket he won at Augusta National two months ago, when he made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole and then another birdie on the second playoff hole to win.

He is among the favourites when the U.S. Open begins Thursday at Merion, a course was soaked by more rain Monday. Scott will be part of the feature group the opening two rounds, playing alongside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in the world ranking.

Scott has been part of this routine before.

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The first time the USGA put together the top three players in the world was at Torrey Pines in 2008 — Woods and San Diego native Mickelson at 1 and 2, and Scott feeling very much out of place.

“I think anyone would have felt like the third wheel that week,” Scott said. “The hype was enormous around that pairing…It was an experience I’ll never forget. I’ve never seen that many people on a Thursday morning on the first tee. It was a great atmosphere.”

And now?

“I’m probably also the third wheel this week, as well,” Scott laughed.

— The Associated Press