A single moment, many moons ago, illustrates how Adam Scott owns an intensity that matches his talent.
The common perception of Adam Scott is a man of flawless composure, one who would never curse nor throw clubs no matter how miffed he felt about a poor shot. And that viewpoint is almost entirely accurate.
For his legion of global fans, Scott has conducted himself impeccably for more than 25 years as a tour professional. There was one moment, however, when he let his guard down. It was away from the glare of TV cameras and almost all sets of eyes, but not mine.
The moment was the Friday afternoon of the 2007 Masters. It was an unusual edition of the tournament, one in which temperatures in the low 30s during practice days gave way to freezing, windy conditions for the competitive rounds. Stuart Appleby, who led after 54 holes, famously had to dash into the Augusta National pro shop to buy an extra jumper because he arrived in Georgia ill-equipped for the 6-degree weather.
The entire field battled the elements, Scott included. During the second round he was working hard to make the cut, but managed to do so on the number. As he walked below the sprawling oak tree behind the clubhouse that is a central gathering point, I suspected Scott’s overriding feeling would be one of relief, knowing a Saturday tee-time was secure.
I suspected wrong. He was seething.
Not at carding a 78, not at sitting eight-over-par for 36 holes and not at being 10 shots behind. No, Scott was still fuming over a bad break that had taken place on the seventh hole, three hours earlier.
With coach Butch Harmon and caddie Tony Navarro at his side, Scott delivered an expletive-laden tirade that was part post-round vent but also partly a purge of a moment much earlier in his day. Memory escapes me as to the injustice the hole known as Pampas dealt Scott, but I think it was a perfectly struck approach that didn’t stick on the ever-firming surfaces and bounded into one of the rear greenside bunkers – never a good place to be on the seventh.
I remember my eyes widening at such an unexpected reaction, but also feeling shocked that he was still holding onto a moment from so many holes earlier. Scott totally ignored my presence, which I quickly understood. Navarro glanced at the media badge hanging around my neck and shot me a look that I interpreted as, Don’t read too much into this… and I don’t want to be reading about this moment. (So apologies, Tony, but I did wait 19 years).
I do so now not to besmirch one of the game’s most upstanding characters, but instead to share a moment that illustrates the competitive fuel that burns within Scott yet perhaps isn’t always evident. He might always look calm and measured, but don’t ever discount his inner fire.
Adam Scott adorns our cover this month as part of a celebration of his 25 consecutive Masters starts [see page 56] and ahead of what looks likely to be his 100th straight major-championship appearance at the US Open this June. Longevity in professional golf isn’t as easy to achieve as it might appear, and few have managed such consistent brilliance for as long as Scott.
He’s also intrinsic to Masters lore as the first – and still only – Australian winner. It’s 13 years ago now, yet feels far more recent.
Can he win it again? Absolutely. Scott would also be drawing plenty of good vibes from the efforts of Justin Rose. Their careers are uncannily similar. The pair were born two weeks apart in July 1980, both made it to No.1 in the world and both own one major title. Rose, of course, lost to Rory McIlroy in extra holes at the Masters a year ago, making him the only man to lose the tournament twice in sudden death.
Rose won on the PGA Tour earlier this year, lapping the field at the circuit’s annual stop at Torrey Pines. Scott, meanwhile, pushed the winner all the way in finishing fourth at Riviera Country Club. Forty-five, it seems, is no age for slowing down.
Form and motivation are in strong supply for Scott. A second green jacket would be cause for another expletive-laden outburst from the usually mild-mannered Queenslander, only this time in jubilation.
Top 5 Australians-at-Augusta moments
5. Bruce Devlin making an albatross in 1967: The New South Welshman became the first golfer to card a 2 on the uphill, par-5 eighth hole in Masters history when his 4-wood from 227 metres found the cup in the first round.
4. Jack Newton chasing Seve Ballesteros in 1980: The Spaniard built a huge lead and won easily enough, but our Jack at least made it interesting.
3. Bruce Crampton pushing Jack Nicklaus all the way in 1972: The Sydneysider carded a bogey-free 35 on the closing nine as Nicklaus limped in with a 39 but still relegated Crampton to T-2.
2. Greg Norman building a six-shot lead after 54 holes in 1996: OK, so it all turned south a day later, but the Shark’s opening three rounds deserve more credit than they get.
1. Adam Scott winning in 2013: Did you expect anything else to be No.1?
Photograph by getty images/Andrew Redington
