Australian Open: Adam Scott senses homegrown threat in John Senden

Adam Scott yesterday acknowledged the threat posed by Jordan Spieth and John Senden at this week’s Open.

Adam Scott hits his approach to the 18th green, the scene of his 2013 heartbreak, during yesterday’s Australian Open pro-am at Royal Sydney. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Adam Scott yesterday acknowledged the threat posed by Jordan Spieth at this week’s Australian Open but both men have been warned not to overlook another former champion as John Senden returns to the scene of arguably his greatest triumph.

Senden won the 2006 Open at Royal Sydney in dramatic circumstances, making birdie at the final two holes to pip Geoff Ogilvy for the Stonehaven Cup.

His coach Ian Triggs yesterday suggested Senden was edging back to his best after two years plagued by injury — a belief re­inforced by a birdie blitz in the morning’s pro-am.

“He is probably in a slightly better position than he has been for the last couple of years,” Triggs said.

“I think he is in a better place physically, the swing is getting back to where we want it. He has had good results. I think he is a real chance.

“Like any tournament, he has to hole putts. We have been struggling with a couple of little technical issues which have been related to the physical.

“We are hopefully getting into a situation now where those things are healing up and giving us an opportunity to get back to where he was.

“If we get back to the ball-striking he had in the early 2000s, I think you will find a different individual.”

Senden will start the Open this afternoon as a $21 chance in a field dominated by Scott and Spieth.

Asked about Spieth’s presence, Scott said: “When world-class players are in the field, you take notice.

“We’re on opposite sides of the draw, so nothing we do is going to affect each other for a couple of days but, like everybody else, I’ll be interested to see what he shoots the first two days.

“I’ll be looking at where he’s at and whether he’s leading or behind or whatever he’s doing, he’s a threat if he’s in the event. I feel like there’s 10 or 15 guys, if they play well now, then you have to be playing well to run with them.

“You can’t bring out your average game and chip and putt and hang in there. Maybe for one or two or three days but not over four days. The standard of golf is incredibly high at the top now — higher than I’ve ever seen it ­before.”

Scott knows that better than most, having hovered around the top of the sport for more than a decade. He already has one Stonehaven Cup in his keeping but it was a near-miss that was on his mind yesterday as he was reminded of his final-hole capitulation at Royal Sydney three years ago.

A bogey at the 72nd hole allowed Rory McIlroy to steal what should have been Scott’s, the memory leaving a scar that will only be healed with victory this week.

“I certainly feel like I’d like to get a win here at Royal Sydney after what happened a few years ago,” Scott said.

“That burns a little bit and also, to win the Aussie Open is special, but it would kind of cap off what was a good year. It would make it feel just that bit better because I’ve got another win.

“From memory, obviously the 18th hole stands out and I made an error on the last hole when I couldn’t afford to. (That’s) just the way the games goes. If I’d hit a pretty average shot to the front of the green and two putted, Rory probably doesn’t make his putt and I win the tournament.

“But I just slightly pushed the eight-iron and misjudged the wind, it goes over the green into a tough spot, I make a five and the door’s open for Rory ... being such a great player, you’ve got to take those breaks when they’re given to you, and he knocks it in.

“It was a shame because I’d had such a great run down here, but maybe a good motivator for me this week is to get out and try and do it all again.”

Scott believes his game is in good enough shape to win and he is confident the course suits his eye.

“I like the way it sets up for me, I just have to execute,” Scott said.

“That’s the big thing around here, you have to be a little cautious and if you hit it in the right spots and execute to your plan, you give yourself a lot of chances.

“It’s easy to force it around here a little bit and get into a lot of trouble.”