Australian Adam Scott clearly has everything going for him this week at the SMBC Singapore Open – 12 years after he first won the title here on the famous Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.
The course, the country and over a decade of personal growth make him the hot favourite in the US$1million tournament, being jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
“Well, the course – it’s one of those things for me, so I’ve just managed to play well here,” said Scott, who has claimed the title a record three times in 2005, 2006 and 2010.
“I stand on the tee and my ball ends up in the fairway more often than not over the years, so it’s one of those things. It seems fairly generous in spots, this golf course, but you still have to be quite precise; it has really big greens.
“If you hit it a long way from the hole you’re really going to struggle. It just fits my eye, and fortunately and happily I’ve taken advantage of that a few times here.”
The world number seven finished in fifth place when he last played here in 2012.
The Lion City is also a special place for the popular Australian, who won the US Masters in 2013 and is a 13-time winner on the PGA Tour.
He said: “I have a strong connection here to Singapore and Sentosa over the last 10 or 12 years. It’s a tournament that I very much enjoy; a great golf course. All these things contribute to making my decision where to play, and it’s a nice way for me to start the year quite close to home.”
And at the age of 36, Scott is arguably in his golfing prime.
“I think I’m a much better golfer now than I was 12 years ago, but I obviously played well that week to win,” he said.
“So much about me has changed in that time. I’m now married and I have a daughter. So much happens in a decade, so it’s completely different. I feel a lot more comfortable and understand my game so much better, but I just have to figure out how to apply all that on a more regular basis, to the best of my ability.”
Winning more Majors is his priority but for the moment the SMBC Singapore Open is his target and few will bet against him lifting the trophy for a fourth time.
The tournament’s other star players Sergio Garcia from Spain and South African Ernie Els will be trying hard to stop him.
