2008 Johnnie Walker Classic - Event Preview: Scott goes for a second Johnnie Walker

Australian Adam Scott begins his quest for a second Johnnie Walker Classic title on Thursday with every intention of adding India to his growing list of global victories.

The world number five starts as firm favourite at the Arnold Palmer-designed DLF Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of the Indian capital, which has become the hotbed of professional golf in recent times.

The US$2.5 million Johnnie Walker Classic is the third major event to be played in the sub-continent this month and Scott intends to make use of the opportunity to match the two-victory haul of Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo and Ernie Els in what is dubbed as the Asia Pacific’s premier golf tournament.

“Just to win, really,” said Scott succinctly when asked about his goals for the week.

“It's just competitive instinct in every guy out here who wants to win, and I think whether you're playing really well or really poorly, you know you can do better and you can win.

“The feeling of winning is the greatest feeling you can get out of the game, and that should be good motivation for you,” added the 2005 Johnnie Walker Classic champion.

Winning has become quite a habit for the dashing Australian, who grew up adoring Greg Norman and harbours the dream of dislodging world number one Woods from his perch.

Asia has been a happy hunting ground for the globe-trotting Scott, whose 13 career wins include five titles in Asia. He has also won six times on the US PGA Tour.

With India hosting the prestigious tournament for the first time, Scott intends to leave his mark in a country which many players including Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie and Jeev Milkha Singh, predict can become the next big thing in world golf.

“There's certainly a big push for golf in India. This is the part of the game that I love, getting the opportunity to travel the world and coming to places that I may not have been able to go to. So, you know, it's exciting for me to be here for the first time,” he said.

A second round loss in last week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona dampened his spirits somewhat but Scott, who was victorious in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in January after a mind-blowing 11-under-par 61 in the final round, said his game was in good working order.

“My play was quite good. I didn't get the result I wanted. I kind of handed the match over to Woody Austin quite easily, which is never a good feeling. You know, I put together six birdies and no bogeys in that match, and sometimes in match play, that's not good enough.

“I know I'm playing well. I just got to get back into the swing of stroke play and four good rounds under my belt here. I can see a lot of birdies out there, but I can see disaster happening quite quickly,” said Scott.

Vijay, whose parents are of Indian descent, was delighted to headline the Johnnie Walker Classic in India. The world number 11 believes that India’s hosting of major golf tournaments will eventually create a new wave of Indians breaking through the ranks.

“I think it’s good. It’s good for golf in Asia. In India, they have had one tournament a few weeks ago and really, it lives up to the expectations and younger players coming up here know how to play. They know what they need to do, how good you have to play to beat the guys coming over,” said Singh, a three-time Major champion.

Montgomerie, an eight-time European number one, agreed with Singh. He said he would not be surprised if another Indian winner emerged and followed in the footsteps of S.S.P. Chowrasia, who scored a stunning victory at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters earlier this month.

“The Indian challenge is very strong. They have more opportunity now to play the game and they are taking the opportunity and working hard at it and see the rewards that are available to them. And all credit to them for coming out and working hard,” he said.

As India’s Jeev Milkha Singh put it, it would be an “icing on the cake” if another local winner emerged at this week’s Johnnie Walker Classic.”

“I think that would be great for Indian golf. We’ve come a long way and I think there’s a lot of depth in Indian golf. The players are maturing up really well and they are more comfortable playing with bigger players. They start believing that if we can do it, why not us,” added Jeev.

The 2006 Asian Tour number one said he has overcome the disappointment of finishing runner-up at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open a fortnight ago with a bogey on the 72nd hole. “It came down to one putt,” he said.

“The only positive that I take out is that there is something better waiting for me.”

February 27, 2008

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