ADAM SCOTT has won the Barclays Singapore Open three times and this week admitted he was looking forward to rekindling his “love affair” with the Sentosa Golf Club.
The 32 year old Australian won the Singapore national title in 2005, 2006 and 2010 but didn’t contest last year because he was playing in the Australian Open.
Those events don’t clash this year and Scott is relishing the prospect of vying for the title a fourth time. He will face a quality field that includes his first round playing partners Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington, world No.1 and likely Race to Dubai winner Rory McIlroy, Louis Osthuizen and a host of other international and Aussie golf luminaries.
In 2010 Scott cruised to victory by three shots over Denmark’s Anders Hansen to claim his seventh European Tour title but is still looking for his first tour win in 2012.
“It is kind of a love affair with Sentosa Golf Club,” the current world No.6 said this week. “When I first won in 2005, it was a very different course back then. I felt very comfortable here, and managed to win back to back titles in 2005 and 2006. I have always had tremendous support in Singapore and have made some fantastic friends here, and particularly at Sentosa Golf Club.
“So it’s a fun week to come back and meet up with everyone. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, and I do enjoy the golf course – they have made some great improvements over the years. It’s challenging but fun, and always in spectacular condition.
“It was a shame to miss last year – I cannot believe it is two years since I was here, time goes so fast. I’m excited to be back, and everything feels as good as it normally does when I come to Singapore so I’m looking forward to this week. I feel my game is in good shape. There is a strong field assembled here, so the challenge is on to win for a fourth time.”
Scott will compete in Singapore on the back of a top ten finish at last week’s WGC-HSBC Champions, in what was his first competitive outing for more than a month.
“I had a good finish last week after coming off a five week break. My game is in good shape, though I have played a lot of good golf this year. I’m getting to the point now that I am getting a little desperate to win a tournament – there aren’t that many left – and this one would be a great one for me to do it at.”
Following this event Scott will be heading home to prepare for the 2012 Emirates Australian Open, on at The Lakes in Sydney from December 6 to 9.
I’ll be cheering for Adam as always.
He really deserves a victory in 2012 as he’s had such a good year. The most consistent player at all 4 majors so hopefully he will get his just rewards.
“Well, if I really knew the answer the two third place finishes would have been victories,” he joked. “I guess it is just a golf course that suits my style of play and so I am always playing shots that feel natural to me.