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Scott fit again and aiming at first Aussie Green Jacket

Adam Scott had to abort his title defence at last week's Houston Open because of illness but is ready to join Australia's bid for a first U.S. Masters victory.

Scott fired a course record nine-under-par 63 in the opening round in Houston and added a 69 in the second before withdrawing with a fever and swollen glands.

"I'm feeling a bit better. It was a rough weekend last weekend," the 27-year-old Scott told reporters on Tuesday. "I've been resting so I think I'm pretty much over whatever I had and just looking forward to this week now."

Scott had to lay low for a few days.

"Coming back today was my first hit since Friday and felt good," he said after practice at Augusta National where the Masters begins on Thursday.

"So, just trying to look at all of the positive things out of it. You know, 63 last week, things are not too bad in my game."

Scott hopes this 72nd Masters will finally see an Australian fitted for a green jacket.

"It's still surprising that we haven't (won), but it will change," vowed Scott, whose boyhood hero Greg Norman came tantalisingly close to winning on several occasions.

"I think it's just going to get broken one day, hopefully this week. I don't really dwell on it. I don't think it's a curse."

Besides Scott, top Australian contenders include 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley and Stuart Appleby, who led the Masters last year after three rounds.

Scott said a friendly rivalry among the Australians helped push them, although he bristled at the news that Ogilvy had leapfrogged him in the world rankings this week, standing fifth to his eighth place on the list.

"I think we all drag each other along for sure. I didn't see the world rankings, but I'm going to have to play well this week and go back past him.

"I think that's why we keep playing so well every year. One of us plays well and the others lift their game and play well and we all kind of pull each other along a little bit, for sure."

April 9, 2008