Adam Scott has questioned whether the Olympic Games should go ahead

Adam Scott has questioned the wisdom of the Olympics going ahead as he sets his sights on winning the Open Championship.

Adam Scott has questioned whether the Tokyo Olympics should go ahead. Picture: Getty Images

Adam Scott has his laser focus on the Open championship this week but he has also been keeping an eye on Japan, a country that is close to his heart.

Scott pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics some time ago now citing a desire to spend more time with his family and he insists he has had no cause for second thought since.

If anything, Scott is stunned that the Games are going ahead at all given the situation in Japan, where the country has been placed in a state of emergency due to Covid-19.

“No second thoughts about it,” Scott said.

“It is questionable really whether it should go ahead with an event of that scale and situation is not good. Certain parts of the world don’t understand the fear that the Japanese are experiencing at the moment.

“They are not as advanced vaccination-wise as some other areas. You have to question whether it is a responsible decision to go ahead.

“That is not why I am not going. I have been home seven weeks this year and it is hard to justify another week away.”

Scott’s decision to skip the Olympics means that Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith will carry the flag for Australia in Tokyo.

Both will be at Royal St George’s Golf Club this week, part of an 11-strong Australian contingent intent on keeping the momentum going given the past few weeks for Australia.

Lucas Herbert, Min-Woo Lee and Cameron Davis have all won on major tours around the world. Ash Barty has been flying as well, whipping Australia into a frenzy with her win at Wimbledon.

Scott can think of nothing better than repeating that remarkable feat at the Open, a tournament that has taunted him over the years.

“I am a tennis fan and like everybody in Australia, I am a huge fan of Ash,” Scott said.

“She is brilliant, having a great year and to win Wimbledon – it is like winning the Open or Masters for a golfer.

“It is incredibly significant. It would be fun to keep that Aussie theme going and take Wimbledon away from the UK as well as the Open trophy.

“For me, the Open now, if you had to rank the tournaments you would love to win, it would sit clearly at the top.

“I felt like I had the hand on the jug once and it was a good feeling. I would kind of like to have two on there. If there is one event I would like to win before my career is out. It would be a lovely story for an Aussie to follow in Greg (Norman’s) footsteps here.”

Norman won the second of his two Open championships at Royal St George’s Golf Club in 1993. The closest Scott has come to matching that achievement was nine years ago when he held the lead by four shot with four shots to play, only to surrender victory to good friend Ernie Els.

That result has clearly eaten away at him. Now in his 40s, the clock is ticking.

“I think looking at where I am physically at 40, I am in good shape,” Scott said.

“Certainly seeing Phil (Mickelson) win the PGA at 50 has given me motivation to keep myself in good shape.

“It certainly can be done. There are always exceptions to the rules. I certainly feel like where everything sits in the picture for me at the moment, the best stuff can still come.”