Masters: Adam Scott not content with just one green jacket
Adam Scott admits he used to suffer from crippling Augusta anxiety. But the 2013 Masters champion has revealed he is finally “at peace” on the iconic course as he hunts a second green jacket.
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Adam Scott says he’s been “at peace” with Augusta National since his 2013 US Masters triumph.
“I guess it’s a very satisfying feeling (returning each year), but maybe that’s not a strong enough word to describe the emotions,” Scott, 38, told News Corp.
“I mean there’s a level of comfort coming here if I think about the years before I’d won - how anxious you were, and how much you wanted the opportunity to win here and how special it all is.
“Of course, I still come back wanting to win another Masters, but I don’t have all that extra nervous anxiety.
“Generally, I might have heard some other champions talk about how they just feel at peace with the place, and the golf course, especially, because that’s the one big thing, until I won.
“I felt more comfortable each year, but not really at peace … and now I do.
“It’s special for everyone, but I have really strong memories of just how that last hour or so went that day - getting dark, and low clouds, and rain, and the atmosphere.
“It gives you chills just thinking about it.”
Two days until Monday at the Masters.
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 7, 2019
Nantz and Faldo capture the excitement of the moment when Adam Scott birdies the 72nd hole on the way to capturing his first Green Jacket in 2013. pic.twitter.com/D2QHsbCTho
Sporting a green ANGC hat, Adam Scott teed off for 18 at Augusta with his dad, Phil on Sunday after lunchtime. Scotty hit a leaked fade but stayed in the fairway. Phil piped a two-yard draw up the guts. 18 with your old man at Augusta on a Sunday. How good
— Evin Priest (@EvinPriest) April 7, 2019
The future arrived on a marvelous Sunday morning in Augusta. #DriveChipandPutt pic.twitter.com/fFoxotqspE
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 7, 2019
Scott and his caddy, John Limanti, spent a few days at Augusta early last week and the world No.29 says his game is in good shape for a crack at a second green jacket.
“I’ve had a nice stretch of preparation,” he said.
“Even though I haven’t been playing (regular tournaments), I feel like the momentum of my game is in a good spot, so I’m very comfortable about where things are at.
“Some stuff I’ve worked on in the off-season is kind of falling into place and there’s just a bit more calmness generally in my life.”
The putter - a weakness since the broomstick ban - has also come good.
“I’ve used a few different putters this year (but) this week I’m going to use the Directed Force putter (with the claw grip) that I’ve used in the last two events I’ve played,” Scott said.
“I’ve really decided on using that specifically with this event in mind, it’s the putter most suited to this golf course for me - so hopefully that plan works well.”
Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson declared up to half of this year’s field of 86 can win this week.
“It could be more wide open than a few years ago because a lot of people drive the golf ball so good, now,” Scott said.
“That is becoming more and more a factor about how well you can play this golf course.
“Guys drive it better now, technology has helped that and when the course was stretched out a little over the last 15 years, driving became more important.
“The advantage of experience is less.”
Another perk for a Masters champion is Scott’s now traditional Monday afternoon round at Augusta with his father Phil.
“For me and my dad, it’s a very special day of the year … so I think he’s going to milk that as much as he can and I like it, too,” Scott said.
“I get to play my 18 holes and then pace myself and play as little or as much as I feel I need to (before Thursday).”
FIFTH AVENUE AKA MAGNOLIA
The biggest change to Augusta National this year is the lengthening of this 452.6m par 4, up from 416m.
The club shifted the tee back and re-routed Old Berckman’s Rd around the tee box.
Australian golfing great Greg Norman told the Herald Sun the original hole was being easily overpowered.
“It needed it, because those guys were hitting three-wood, eight-irons into that hole,” Norman said.
Adam Scott agreed the remodelled 5th was an improvement.
“I like it,” Scott said. “It’s an improvement. It’s longer and now it’s not a question of what I hit off the tee. Driver was in a tight spot for me before and three-wood made it much wider but left me with a longer shot in.
“So I was always making a decision on that tee and now that has been taken away from me, so I’m happy about that.”
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