Adam Scott has made a habit of arriving early ahead of the British Open every year. But this year he’s taking it up a notch.
The North Sea coast of Scotland is accustomed to seeing the world’s best golfers file in each year during the month of July.
Some arrive earlier than others. Like Ben Hogan, who prepared for his only British Open appearance 65 years ago by practising for two weeks at Panmure Golf Club.
Hogan went on to win by four shots at Carnoustie, just three kilometres down the road, to cap his remarkable 1953 season.
So there is likely to be little fuss made when Adam Scott sets up shop in the area surrounding Carnoustie some 21 days out from the 147th Open Championship.
His itinerary is flexible, but the bulk of time will be spent familiarising himself with every inch of Carnoustie’s Championship course, while visiting other nearby links courses in Scotland’s east. He’s not even sure who will make up his foursomes just yet.
“I haven’t really lined that up yet, but we will see who is available,” Scott laughs during a recent sit-down with Australian Golf Digest.
“I’m sure I will be able to find a game if I’m looking for one.”
Scottish Spread
Panmure is just minutes from Carnoustie, Monifieth Golf Links is a 3-wood away and St Andrews a 40-minute drive, as well as a host of other hidden gems in proximity.
“I haven’t lined any others up. I will certainly play other courses as there are some amazing tracks in that part of Scotland, but predominantly I will play Carnoustie,” Scott says.
The Queenslander will take wife Marie, as well as daughter Bo Vera and son Byron, to give his British Open campaign a relaxed, family vibe.
“It might be a little more relaxed, for sure,” Scott says. “My family is going to be there with me, so there’ll be some relaxation in there.”
“I’m looking at it as a bit of fun, because the week before
The Open has always been fun to me. I get to play The Open
venue on my own for the whole week, basically.
How good is that?” – Adam Scott
“I love being up in Scotland playing that style of golf; I enjoy the country very much.”
A Proven Formula
For eight years now, 38-year-old Scott has made a point of touching down early in the UK to familiarise himself with the conditions thrown up by true British links golf. His approach to The Open has paid dividends, but the Claret Jug has still managed to slip through his fingers, time and time again.
Scott enjoyed a significant purple patch at golf’s oldest and most prestigious championship, starting with the 2012 edition. It was then the Queenslander suffered his most heartbreaking moment at the Majors. Holding a four-shot lead with four holes to play during the final round at Royal Lytham & St Annes, Scott bogeyed each of the four to hand Ernie Els a one-shot victory. However, Scott refused to let the demons haunt him and kept picking himself back up.
In between a breakthrough win at the 2013 Masters, he gave himself red-hot chances to lift the Claret Jug during the next three Opens.
Scott tied for third the next year at Muirfield, when he grabbed the outright lead after 11 holes during the final round – only to bogey holes 13 through 16 – as Phil Mickelson stole victory.
A year later at Royal Liverpool where he was placed on the nightmare side of the draw, Scott braved horrible conditions to share fifth place behind Rory McIlroy.
In 2015, at the Home of Golf, Scott blitzed his way into a share of the lead – going out on the Old Course at St Andrews in 31 and then birdied the 10th. But a bogey on the par-5 14th preceded an inexplicable missed one-foot par putt on the 15th. He eventually tied for 10th place.
Mixing It Up
Scott believes his British Open preparation has been solid during the past eight years, but this year’s tweak could be the tonic he needs to drink from the Claret Jug.
Playing the majority of each year in the US, Scott doesn’t often face the unpredictable shots and conditions associated with Scottish links golf. Flighting shots under severe winds, running the ball onto almost every green, slower-paced putting surfaces and treacherous pot bunkers…
“I think it will be a slightly more thorough approach; really get comfortable and get my game in a good spot,” Scott explains.
“I want to try to best control a lot of the variables the British Open throws at you; that’s kind of my theory behind it all. I want to feel like I’m one or two in front of everyone when we tee off each day, if I have spent a few weeks gathering knowledge and feeling (Carnoustie) out. You know, being able to play that ‘chippy’ 5-iron you don’t ever practise and get into my comfort zone.”
It is a move which has the full support of Scott’s fellow Queenslander, Ian Baker-Finch, who featured high on the leaderboard in several Opens before lifting the Claret Jug himself at Royal Birkdale in 1991.
“I think it is great idea,” Baker-Finch tells Australian Golf Digest. “Obviously, he’s going to do some reconnaissance at Carnoustie and various other courses, but also spend some time with family and travel around a bit.
“I think it’s a very prudent move a lot of Open champions and Major winners made over the years. Jack [Nicklaus] used to go and practise early, Tom Watson would play at Ballybunion Golf Club (in Ireland), and obviously Hogan was well known for practising at Panmure in 1953.
“I know Adam won the Masters, but I think The Open suits him the most. He has a great golf IQ, and I think slower greens suit him better.”
Baker-Finch played his way into the final group alongside eventual champion Nick Faldo in the 1990 edition at St Andrews. He credits that performance to dream practice rounds he played with iconic Australian golfers such as Peter Thomson, Graham Marsh and Kel Nagle at St Andrews in the lead-up.
“The first time I played, I had five practice rounds with Thomson, Marshy and Kel Nagle at St Andrews for five days. It really helped me acquaint myself with that style of golf course and those conditions,” Baker-Finch recalls.
“I always used to try to get there as soon as I could. Funny, though, the year I won I couldn’t arrive until Monday and only played three practice rounds.”
Unfinished Business
Scott doesn’t shy away from talking about his goal of completing the career Grand Slam. With a green jacket under his belt, he is only a quarter of the way there and at the age of 38 he knows the clock is ticking.
Given his affinity for The Open, he admits it is the Major he wants the most.
“It is, but I’ll take any of them,” Scott says. “Sure, I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business at The Open. I’ve had three really good chances to win the claret jug and I’ve not won it.
“This year might be different; I’d like to have another shot at it because I reckon I can close it out.”
