Adam Scott eyes a Serapong spring
Scott, who hails 2013 Masters win as career highlight, hopes S'pore Open can usher in another great year
He is 36 and eyeing a grand season in 2017, with the Majors very much on his radar.
But, regardless of what is to follow in his career, Australia's golf star Adam Scott will forever cherish his Masters win in 2013 as his crowning achievement.
Scott never forgets those four days at the storied Augusta National, or the dramatic final day on April 14, when he beat Angel Cabrera on the second hole in a sudden-death play-off to claim his first and only Major to date.
Speaking to The New Paper in a recent interview, Scott said: "Winning the Masters is always going to be the highlight no matter what really happens the rest of my career.
"Being the first Australian to do it, it is going to be pretty hard to go beyond that (in terms of achievements)."
"After such a long history of guys trying to win it and then it came down to me, so that's always going to be pretty high (on the list)," added Scott, who also has 13 US PGA Tour wins and 10 on the European Tour.
He is aiming to win the US$1 million ($1.43m) SMBC Singapore Open in January to tee him up for a successful year, which includes the Masters in April.
PLATFORM
"I am trying to use the SMBC Singapore Open as a springboard to start an amazing 2017," said the former world No. 1, who has won the Singapore Open a record three times, in 2005, 2006 and 2010.
"It would be an amazing way to start the year with a win; confidence is huge for golfers, and hopefully that can carry right on through the season and there are more wins in big events to come."
Next year's Singapore Open will be held at Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong Course from Jan 19 to 22. The other stars are Sergio Garcia and Ernie Els.
Song Young Han of South Korea will defend his title in the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation co-sanctioned event.
Scott returned to competitive golf on home soil last week when he finished tied for 14th at the Australian Open, as American star Jordan Spieth claimed the title.
He partnered Marc Leishman as Australia finished tied for ninth in the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf in Melbourne on Sunday.
He was on a break before that to recharge his batteries, although fatherhood - wife Marie Kojzar gave birth to daughter Bo Vera Scott in February 2015 - has forced him to alter his lifestyle.
"I have always loved going surfing but you have got to be near the waves for that, so that doesn't happen very much," he said.
"Having a family and daughter the last two years, what I do in my downtime has changed more than ever.
"It is great down-time being home. Very energetic at the moment in our house! Not a lot of rest but all really great fun. The positive energy I get from that is really fantastic."
Scott has thrived at the famous but difficult Serapong Course.
He believes his accuracy from the tee sets him up nicely at the 6,493-metre, par-72 course.
FAMILIAR
He said: "It has changed from when I first played it, but it has suited me both times. I think you actually need to be more accurate than you think around that golf course.
"I feel like I have always been very accurate off the tee and hit my targets and be right where I need to be to attack the course to make a lot of birdies. I think that has been the secret for me there.
"I am certainly excited to come back and hopefully go for a fourth Singapore Open crown."
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