ADAM SCOTT has a nice green jacket, now he’d like a Claret Jug. Having just celebrated his 34rd birthday, it would only be fair.
The world No.1 goes into the 143rd British Open this week as one of the favourites and maybe a bit of birthday luck will help get him over the line. But Scott knows he faces some very stiff opposition to realising a career long dream.
“It would be incredibly special to win The Open as world No 1 this week,” he said ahead of the big event at Royal Liverpool, in Hoylake, England.
“But there’s such a significance to this tournament, it would give me a feeling of being complete as a player and for my career.
“You’d be sitting back and basking in glory with the Claret Jug.”
Scott has been so close in recent years he no doubt has felt he has almost tasted that iconic jug – whatever has been in it lately. (As we are all painfully aware, he finished runner up to Ernie Els in 2012 when he bogeyed the final four holes and was tied third last year behind Phil Mickelson)
Mickelson had to hand the Jug back in a couple of days ago and it has now been primped and polished awaiting a possible new owner.
Sharing favouritism with Scott – give or take depending on the betting market – are Scottish Open winner Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson.
They are closely followed by the likes of defending champion Mickelson, US Open Champion Martin Kaymer and Tiger Woods, a big unknown considering his closeted preparation.
Woods has only played one tournament since returning from back surgery but is adamant he is more than ready to mount a serious challenge, particularly at the venue where he won the title in 2006.
Scott for one was happy Woods – the man from whom he wrested the World No.1 title – is in the field.
“It’s good Tiger is in the field,” Scott said. “He’s the guy you want to beat. Heading out there this week everyone will have an eye on Tiger. But there’s so many other guys in form you don’t just focus on him.”
Scott will play the first two rounds alongside Justin Rose and Jason Dufner, teeing off on Thursday at 11.27pm (AEST).
Fox Sports TV coverage in Australia begins at 6pm (AEST). Woods tees off at 6.04pm alongside Stenson and Angel Cabrera, so no doubt we’ll be seeing a lot of that featured group first up.
Tees times for all eight Aussie contenders are listed here
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