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Scott fired up for Singapore defence
 Australian
Adam Scott touched down in Singapore at dawn today just a day before
he begins the defence of his Barclays Singapore Open title at Sentosa
Golf Club.
He landed at about 5.30am and showed that he means business and
impressed all by heading straight to the gym at the hotel. His late
arrival was the result of this week’s Monday finish on the
US PGA Tour.
The world number six recorded a runaway victory in Singapore last
year and despite his lack of preparation for this week’s US$3
million tournament he is confident of performing well.
“I feel pretty good considering I had a pretty long trip in.
I managed to have some sleep on the plane and got in and got situated
at hotel, had a work out and a couple of cups of coffee later, I
am buzzing,” said Scott.
“I have been playing well. I did not play my best last week
- I felt pretty rundown with a cold but I am okay now. My form has
been good, I am hitting the ball really well, doing everything nearly
good enough but not quite (there). It has been pretty frustrating,
not to have won. It has been tough to get past the Tiger,”
added the Australian.
Scott won by seven strokes last year, when the tournament was also
played on the Serapong course at Sentosa. He carded a spectacular
six-under-par 65 in the final round, well clear of second placed
Lee Westwood of England.
Westwood is also competing this week along with a host of other
star players including his European Ryder Cup team mate Paul McGinley
from Ireland, South Africans Ernie Els and Tim Clark and New Zealand’s
Michael Campbell.
Despite being happy with his form Scott has surprisingly not won
since tasting victory in Singapore last September.
“I am not sure why I have not won since here last year. It
is bit of a mystery to me. Maybe looking at what Tiger (Woods) does
so well - he closes when he is in position to win. The few chances
I have had I have not done that. Maybe that is a bit of a learning
curve for me. If I get in that position again I will have to figure
out how to close the deal, knuckle down, focus and get job done,”
said Scott.
A truly global golfer, Scott has won five times on The European
Tour and three titles on the US PGA Tour.
He made light work of the tough Serapong course last year finishing
with a four round aggregate of 13 under par.
“I have already heard the course is set up just as tough this
year as last year. The rough is very long. I was a little surprised
how well I dealt with that last year. I am excited, that is the
way I like to see golf courses set up - national championships should
be set up that way,” said the 26-year-old.
He added: “I remember a lot about the course, I hit lot of
good shots. It is always a nice feeling to come back to a place
you have been successful. See where you hit a lot of good shots,
again. Hope those feelings come back to me. I can plan the strategy
for getting it around rest of this week.”
Scott not surprisingly rates three-time Major winner Els as one
of the favourites but feels he has one key advantage.
“I feel good at the moment - tonight is important. I need to
make sure I get some rest. Fortunately I have an afternoon tee time
tomorrow. I have time in the morning to rest rather than having
to get out there early. I think I will be alright. Ernie is 36 I
am only 26,” he joked.
Scott has yet to successfully defend a title and would dearly love
to add that achievement to his resume this week.
“I have been playing well the last four or five months in Europe
and US. It has been frustrating not to have won. I always try to
defend - I have not defended one successfully yet but always put
in good performances. It is a great field, Ernie Els only one of
the great guys here. Exciting week, exciting for the Barclays Singapore
Open,” said the young Australian.
September 6, 2006
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