Evin Priest
Augusta, Georgia: The joy of becoming Australia’s first Masters champion hasn’t worn off for Adam Scott, 13 years on from his historic triumph and a quarter-century after making his debut at Augusta National.
Scott, 45 and playing his 25th Masters, gave this masthead a look inside a pre-tournament schedule that could only be described as a week for the ages.
It began last Wednesday, when Scott flew to Augusta for the day from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, for a scouting report with good mate Cameron Smith. The 32-year-old is based in Ponte Vedra, while Scott was staying in town to practise at PGA Tour headquarters at TPC Sawgrass ahead of the year’s first major.
You could imagine what Australians sports fans would have given to be a fly on the wall that day.
“That’s exactly how I was looking at it,” Scott tells this masthead. “To have a day at Augusta National when it’s calm [no crowds], you’ve got to go there [before Masters week].”
A day trip to Augusta the week before the Masters was something Scott hadn’t done in 15 years. “It was an epic day,” Scott said. “Bright blue skies, sun shining, the flowers in full bloom. It was as vibrant as I’ve ever seen it. The day really got my head into what’s going to happen this week.”
Smith and Scott are half of Australia’s Masters contingent alongside Jason Day and the nation’s top-ranked male, Min Woo Lee.
Scott tried to drink from the fountain of youth, watching closely the short game of Smith, who won the 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022. From 100 metres or less, the Brisbane native is one of the world’s best.
“We did a lot of pitching around the greens,” said Scott, whose long game has been stellar this PGA Tour season while his short game has struggled. “Getting to watch Cam Smith pitch around the greens at Augusta is like any golfer’s dream, really. The guy is unbelievable with a wedge in his hand, so just seeing how he approached different shots and the way he executes them was motivating, inspiring.”
Scott then arrived at Augusta National on Sunday to kick off an annual tradition for Masters week. As a past champion, he is allowed to bring a guest. Scott’s father, club pro and course designer Phil Scott, once again teed up at Augusta with his major-winning son.
“It’s a special moment we get to share; it’s a huge perk of being a champion,” Scott said.
After nine-hole practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday, the 14-time PGA Tour winner will pass the Masters family perks down a generation of Scotts.
“I had never really been a big Wednesday Par 3 Tournament guy. However, having my daughter [Bo Vera] caddie for me a couple of years ago was special, and now my middle son [Byron] is going to caddie this year.
“When [Byron] got to Florida last month and was around the golf at TPC [Sawgrass], he was straight back into it and wants to golf every day.”
Other Masters festivities for Scott include a seat at the annual and ultra-exclusive champion’s dinner on Tuesday night, which will be hosted by newcomer Rory McIlroy.
But Scott is also at Augusta to do a job; to realise his dream of being a multiple major champion. Although he hasn’t won a 72-hole tournament in six years, Scott’s strength and speed are comparable to the bashful mid-20s golfers on the PGA Tour.
His ball speed with the driver measures almost 305 km/h, and his clubhead speed of 198 km/h ranks 17th on the PGA Tour. He ranks 42nd and fourth on the PGA Tour, respectively, for driving and iron play.
Scott’s results have been solid but not amazing, including a fourth place at the elite Genesis Invitational at Riviera, and a share of 11th at the brutal Bay Hill course in March. Recently, he was in the mix at the Houston Open and shared 21st place.
“I do [feel confident]; I had three good rounds at Houston but struggled on Sunday,” he said. “I’ve been tested in all the areas I need to be ready for Augusta. The biggest thing, and it’s always helpful at a major, is my iron play has been incredibly consistent this year and that’s a big change from the last few years.”
Physically, iron play is essential at Augusta National given its greens have extreme contours that render long putts difficult. Mentally, Scott knows the Masters requires a balance of intensity and stopping to smell the azaleas, so to speak. Recently, Scott began using the champions locker room a little more.
“Once a day, I like to sit up in the champion’s locker room with the [green] jacket on and have one drink,” he said. “It’s nice, especially if there’s someone else in there, but I’m not afraid to do that on my own either [laughs].
“It’s a special place and an accomplishment. You’re there to win again, hopefully, but it’s nice to allow yourself a moment to just feel good about yourself and what you did there.”
