IT’S not putting too fine a point on it to suggest Royal Melbourne and Adam Scott have long had a ‘bromance’ going.
It began almost as soon as Scott appeared on the professional golf arena in the 1990’s, with RM immediately loving the way the young Queenslander carried himself on and off the golf course.
Members also admired the genuine respect and sense of history the 2013 Masters Champion has for the game. After the win at Augusta, RM awarded Scott with honorary life membership – a measure of the esteem in which he was held.
A members’ night, for which guest of honour Scott donned the Masters green winner’s jacket, was quite literally packed to the rafters. You could have heard a pin drop when Scott spoke.
That’s why the addition of Scott to the list of Australians and other internationals who will try to stop Rory McIlroy lifting the Stonehaven Cup at RM from November 27-30 has added even more theatre to the appearance of the reigning Masters champion from Northern Ireland.
While McIlroy is no Tiger Woods when it comes to pulling power, he will draw huge galleries to the first open at RM since 1991. Should organisers opt to draw Scott and McIlroy together on the first two days, record crowds are assured.
“No doubt it made big headlines (overseas) that Rory was coming down to play at Australia,” Scott said.
“That pushed Royal Melbourne out there even more, and there are a fair few guys who played the Presidents Cup in 2019 at Royal Melbourne, and it’s certainly gotten a lot of attention from the players right through the ranks, from the top guys down.
“Royal Melbourne has an incredible history and reputation that a lot of guys would like to experience.
“It’s got this reputation, and rightly so, of being our greatest golf course. With the announcement of Rory coming down to play, it refreshed everyone’s mind how good it is.
“There has definitely been 100 times more interest in the Australian Open and the events in Australia this year.”
Scott, 45, said he would plan his schedule between now and November to ensure he was feeling physically and mentally fresh in his bid to win a second Australian Open and a third Australian PGA title.
“I’ve learned my lesson a little bit the last couple years that I’m at the point where I can’t continue pushing myself,” he said.
“It just doesn’t work like it used to, so I’m going to try, to not take it easy, but plan my time a little better because I certainly want to come down and perform and give myself a shot at these great trophies at home.”
Scott said this year had been frustrating for him, believing his “good golf” had not been rewarded with wins.
He was in the final group in the fourth round of June’s US Open at Oakmont Country Club, only to shoot a 79 to finish in a tie for 12th.
Scott then missed the cut earlier in July at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
“The Open was disappointing. I just played poorly on Friday (in the second round). I got out of sorts in the wind and couldn’t figure it out,” he said.
“There are a lot of things I can think I’d do different. At the US Open it was disappointing to leave without a result and that’s kind of been how my year’s been – all my good golf has ended up not really getting the results I wanted.
“To be in the mix with nine to go at the US Open, and to be in the mix with nine to go at the PGA Championship, still gives me enough confidence that I’m doing enough of the right things. I just have to iron out a couple of the kinks to get over the line.”
NOTE: In addition to the Australian Open and PGA Championships, Adam Scott will also play in the Cathedral Invitational, a relaxed event prior to Christmas. The tournament held near Mansfield in Victoria, is played on the Greg Noman-designed layout owned by Melbourne businessman, David Evans. Played over the 36-holes, the tournament will be following the Australian Open, teeing off on December 9 and 10. McIlroy might also play.
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