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Scott has Sentosa double on his mind

Australia’s Adam Scott will arrive for the defence of his Barclays Singapore Open title in September as one of the hottest properties in world golf after his bold display at the British Open cast him in the role of a “Major champion in waiting".

Scott, the world number six, was widely praised for his attacking display over the closing holes at Hoylake even though his subsequent bogey, double bogey finish saw him slip down to tied eighth position.

The sweet-swinging 26-year-old said he really “had to go for it” with Tiger Woods seemingly in control of the situation and the galleries can expect the same sort of decisiveness as Scott chases a repeat victory in the US$3 million Barclays Singapore Open, which is regarded as the ‘Major of Asia’.

"I have had to believe in myself a little bit more than I have before," said Scott, rated as the most exciting golfer to come out of Australia since Greg Norman. "I have to trust that my game is good enough to get around (championship) courses and beat (the top) players.

"I talked a lot earlier in the year about being more aggressive in the Majors. But it's more about believing in myself, picking my target and hitting it right at it, rather than steering out of trouble."

Scott played near faultless golf on his way to a title-clinching final round 65 at Sentosa Golf Club last year and is eagerly anticipating again taking on the menacing Serapong course and a quality field from September 7-10.

“I had a great time last year in Sentosa. It was a tough week. It was very hot and the course was set up great with some of the longest rough that we've ever played on,” recalled Scott.

“I'm looking forward to coming back in September. I hope they will set it up tough again as it was really a good test of golf. I remember just playing so well in the last round and ending up kind of running away with the tournament.

“I haven't played in Asia since winning in Singapore last year so it'll be a good time for me to go back.”

The status of the tournament has been reinforced by the five-year sponsorship deal signed with Barclays, one of the world’s largest financial institutions with a big presence in Asia, and the huge increase of prize money from US$2 million to US$3 million.

Scott will defend his title against a strong field which includes Ernie Els of South Africa, currently world ranked seventh, a resurgent Lee Westwood of England who was runner up in 2005, Japanese number one Shingo Katayama and the region's finest led by current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Jeev Milkha Singh of India and last year’s leading player Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand.

“They've really put a lot of effort turning the (Barclays) Singapore Open into a world-class event. Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Shingo Katayama, it really is a world-class field and a world-class event,” said Scott.

“It should be another quality field and I think the event has a bright future.

“Hopefully, there will be many more returns to the Singapore Open (for me).”

Scott has not won this season but two runner-up finishes and two third places have taken him to eighth spot on the US PGA Tour rankings with US$2,712,183 in prize money. His scoring average of 69.16 is the second best on tour and his all-round game coupled with a freshly honed boldness have convinced observers that it is just a matter of time before he wins a Major.

The Australian took some time off after the British Open but will be razor sharp for the Barclays Singapore Open which will be his fourth tournament in as many weeks. “Singapore will be my fourth week in a row. I would have played the US PGA Championship, the World Golf Championship and in Boston before dashing to Singapore,” he commented.

“I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, I would have played some more good golf before arriving back in Singapore. I've played well consistently this year but I haven't won yet. Hopefully, when I see you again in Singapore, I would have gotten a win and come back and defend that (the Barclays Singapore Open) successfully.”

August 9, 2006