Adam Scott is one of golf’s most mindblowing cases. His defeated rivals reveal a wild reality
Adam Scott is not really supposed to be here.
At 45 years of age, the former Australian Open champion is very deserving of a place in the field alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Min Woo Lee and Cameron Smith this week at Royal Melbourne.
But to be among the contenders for the national crown, and to be paired with McIlroy and Lee in the star-studded marquee group for the opening two rounds is mind-blowing.
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Despite this being the first time Scott will play an Australian Open at Royal Melbourne, he is well versed in the famed venue.
He locked horns with the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the 2011 Presidents Cup before facing recent major champions Byrson DeChambeau and Xander Schauffele eight years later.
Scott held off another American in Matt Kuchar to win the Australian Masters in 2013.
Those feats of the previous decade came during his time at the top, but he simply refuses to accept that the good times cannot keep rolling and continues to serve as a bridge between golfing eras.
When Scott announced himself on the PGA Tour by winning the Players Championship in 2004, he got the better of Irishman Padraig Harrington.
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Adam Scott still remains a factor on Tour.Source: AFP
When he won his sole Australian Open title to date in 2009 at New South Wales Golf Club, Stuart Appleby came second.
When he won The Masters in 2013 – the crowning moment of his career – Scott defeated Angel Cabrera in a playoff.
The Argentine spent more than two years in prison for domestic violence, and is back playing on the champions tour.
The others have not endured such a fall from grace, but the state of their game pales in comparison to Scott.
Scott leaning on experience at Aus Open | 14:23
Harrington is ranked 769th in the world, having missed the cut in seven of his last eight events across the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
Kuchar is plugging away on the PGA Tour, 71 places below Scott in the world rankings.
Appleby last played an event for world ranking points six years ago.
Mickelson is plying his trade on LIV and missed the cut in three of the four majors this year.
While, Woods told reporters at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas this morning that he is unsure of when he will make a return to competitive golf after his latest back surgery.
Scott, on the other hand, is showing no signs of slowing down.
He continues to defy Father Time.
He played in the final group on Sunday at this year’s US Open at Oakmont.
He came seventh last week at Royal Queensland in the Australian PGA Championship.
The former world No.1 turned heads along the way by outdriving playing partners Ryan Fox and Elvis Smylie at times.
He has long been regarded as possessing one of the most aesthetically pleasing swings in golf, making it look effortless.
Of course, that was never the case, hours upon hours of effort went into crafting such a work of art, and now Scott says the key to his longevity is trusting that body of work he has built up over a long career.
“I’d say the biggest thing, like I said, is I probably hit less balls on the range than I used to,” he told foxsports.com.au.
“I’ve hit a lot.
“In hitting less, I’ve had to own my swing more.
“I know what I know about it, and believe it, so that I don’t have to rely on constant grinding to feel confident in my swing.”
Adam Scott v Rory McIlroy in 2013 | 03:00
“Just from the sense of like overload, and it can’t be the same – whose life is the same as ten to 15 years ago?” he added.
“You just get older and different parts of your life change, and you have to adjust.
“Otherwise you’re not relevant in whatever you’re doing.
“So, I’m always trying to find that balance.”
The gym is Scott’s sanctuary these days when he is not on the golf course, fulfilling media and sponsor obligations, or attending meetings at the White House.
The Australian, who lives in Switzerland despite spending much of the year in the United States, is a player director for the PGA Tour and was part of the delegation that met with current US President Donald Trump earlier this year in order to try reach a peace agreement with LIV Golf.
No such deal is yet to be made, but the changing landscape of the game has kept Scott busy behind the scenes.
It is usually the sort of role taken on by someone who winds down their playing commitments, but Scott is determined to be “relevant” in the sport for his efforts beyond board rooms or the Oval Office.
“I work hard physically as well as the practice. There’s so much that goes into the body these days,” he said.
“You look at the young guys and they’re looking far more athletic than when I turned pro.
“I still want to win some tournaments so I have to work hard to keep myself relevant.
“It takes a bit more time than it used to, to be as physically nimble as I can be, but I think it’s keeping me in the game.
“If I can limit the mistakes and use my experience, I think I’ve still got the ability to beat some of these young guys.”
