Scott looking for Johnnie Walker double

The talented Scott, ranked 10th in the world, hopes to shoot his way into the history books by becoming the first player to successfully defend his title at the US$2.3 million event and if he succeeds, it will also mean his first professional title on home soil.

For all his prodigious talent, the 25-year-old has never tasted victory in Australia although he has been successful around the globe with 10 career titles. At the impressive Vines course, Scott will face stiff challenges from a stellar cast which includes the men he beat last year in Beijing, South Africa's world number three Retief Goosen and reigning US Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand.

Europe's eight-time number one, Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, Scott's compatriot Robert Allenby, holder of the triple crowns of Australian titles – the Australian Open, Masters and PGA – and the Asian Tour's top players Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and India's rising star Shiv Kapur will also be eager to sparkle.

"I expect myself to play well and I generally have in defending my titles previously. I've never defended one yet but it would be nice to do it this week, especially to give me my first win in Australia," said Scott today.

The young Aussie, once referred to as the "White Tiger Woods" due to the semblance in his golf swing to the world number one, feels confident after spending the last few weeks working on the short game and refining his swing. "I've played a lot at home and done a bit of practice. I feel pretty good and my swing is feeling really comfortable at the moment, much more so than the end of last year.

"There's certainly a strong field here. Retief, he's number three in the world and I think this course will also suit Fred Couples. Monty seems to play well every week and obviously Cambo (Campbell), if he's playing well, we know he's got the game to win a major," said Scott, who plays the first two rounds with England's Nick Dougherty and Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng.

Asia's best hope, Thaworn, who won a record four titles on the Asian Tour last season en route to winning the Order of Merit, hopes to live up to Johnnie Walker's famous tagline of "Keep Walking" this week.

The 39-year-old Thaworn, who has been drawn alongside world number 13 Campbell and Europe's Ryder Cup star Paul Casey of England in the first two rounds, withdrew from the pro-am today after developing blisters on his right foot from wearing a new pair of shoes this week.

"It hurts when I walk but I can still hit the ball okay," said Thaworn. "So hopefully, it will not bother me that much tomorrow. I'm striking the ball nicely and it's important to do so as there is a lot of jungle that fringes most holes."

The Thai, who also holds a European Tour card, has been selective in his trips abroad and skipped last week's Dubai Desert Classic to focus on the Johnnie Walker Classic here. "I chose to not play in Dubai as I didn't feel the course was suited to my game.

"Since winning the Merit title, there are a lot of expectations on me and I do not really like the attention. I just want to focus on my game and try my best to win every time I tee it up. It is no different being number one or not, my goal is always to aim for a win," said Thaworn, currently third on the Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit.

If Scott is desperately seeking for his first triumph in Australia, Allenby will be aiming to extend his record-breaking run by winning a fourth straight title on home soil. At the end of last year, he claimed an unprecedented three wins on the trot. "It'll be nice, that's what I'm here to try and do it. I definitely got my game into sixth gear and hopefully I can find that form. I'm here because Johnnie Walker run a great tournament and I always enjoy playing in this," said Allenby.

After a minor hiccup where he missed the cut in Dubai last week, Montgomerie could well challenge this week as his trademark straight-hitting game is well suited for The Vines challenge. He stayed back in Dubai at the weekend to open his new course and spent two days "practising as hard as I have for many years."

"You have to find your way round the golf course and think your way around. It's very demanding this week mentally as well, it's a good course," said Montgomerie, winner of 30 titles on the European Tour. "It would be great to win again, kick the season off if you like."

Kapur, last year's Asian Tour Rookie of the Year, is relishing his opening round where he will play alongside former US Masters winner Couples and Australian star Craig Parry. The Indian, winner of last December's season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia, must however overcome a tendency of poor first rounds as his last three tournaments saw him shooting two 75s and one 77.

"I've had a bit of forced rest (after missing the cut in Dubai) and I'm feeling refreshed. The game feels good and I like the golf course which kinds of sets up for my game. You have to be accurate from off the tee and I'm pretty excited. It's a great opportunity for me to be here. This is what you dream of as a kid. You grow up wanting to play in these big events and I want to enjoy it.

"I've got a nice pairing and we'll see how it goes. It's great. These are the guys that you watch on TV and grew up idolising them. Now you have a chance to play with them and learn and see how they manage their games as they are the top players in the world," said Kapur.

The Johnnie Walker Classic is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.

February 8, 2006