Adam Scott is Finally “Filling Out”

Adam Scott has played on a different level this year – after winning The Masters in a playoff against Angel Cabrera, Scott has been quoted as saying he’s hungrier than ever. As one of the nicest guys on the PGA Tour, some thought he would never have the inner flame to win a Major championship. His current play is also not reflective of his entire career thus far. Back in 2005, he was considered the next wave of good golfers, who were also good-looking guys (along with Aaron Baddeley and Camilo Villegas). But his game wasn’t as good as his looks – expectations were not met and eventually, they were just “good looking guys who’ll never play any good.”

Then came rock bottom – a nightmarish 2008. In short order, Scott fractured his hand in a car door during a night out with friends, suffered a series of energy-sapping throat infections, and saw his seven-year relationship with Marie Kojzar, a Swede whom he met when she was working as a nanny for Thomas Bjorn, end in a way that left him “gutted.” He also split with his longtime instructor Butch Harmon and ended their working relationship together – all in all, Scott’s “head was a little bit messed up,” and he sank to 76th place in the world rankings. It wasn’t until 2009 when Greg Norman made a captain’s pick for Adam Scott to join the President’s Cup team which gave Adam the boost and confidence he needed to play well and reach the level of play he knew he was capable of.

There was a series of changes that occurred after that. A new swing instructor, who just happened to be his sister’s boyfriend and eventual husband. The switch to the long putter, which has helped him tremendously over the past couple of seasons. And also a switch to Tiger Woods’ long time caddie, Steve Williams. Then came a win at Firestone and a 4-shot lead through 68 holes of The Open Championship at Royal Lytham. It was all going so well, but some say you need to learn how to lose before you can learn how to win. Scott would bogey his final 4 holes to lose the Claret Jug by 1 shot to Ernie Els. You’d think that this would be a major blow to Scott’s confidence, but it didn’t. It only solidified the progress and level of play he knew he was capable of. In addition to continuously improving his game, chipping and putting, he also reunited with his ex-girlfriend, Kojzar ahead of the 2013 Masters tournament. Scott’s head returned to the right place and he was playing golf as calm as ever – which led to his first victory and the first Australian player to ever win The Masters.

With his fine play and more limited schedule, Scott is proving to be a factor at every tournament he plays. At this year’s Open Championship at Muirfield, he had the lead at one point, but again, bogeyed 4 holes straight to take himself out of contention. He said that Muirfield stung more than Lytham because of the fact that he is now a Major champion and has much higher expectations of himself. Maybe that’s why he is playing out of his mind this week at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club. He and fellow first time Major winner this year, Justin Rose, have played together the first two days and are atop the leaderboard. Adam Scott is currently 7-under and Justin Rose is 6-under, with the leader, Jason Dufner, at 9-under (and shot a course record 63 on Friday!). With Scott and Rose having their first taste of Major championship victory earlier this year, perhaps they’re finally “filling out” in their careers. This weekend is certainly shaping up to be very exciting!

Make sure to read the full Golf Digest article linked below for the full interview!

Source: Golf Digest