Australian golfer Adam Scott has revealed that rival Rory McIlroy's dominance in the PGA Tour has inspired him to make amends for last year's Emirates Australian Open loss.
Scott, who is currently world no.3, was beaten at the final hole by McIlroy at last year’s event on home soil, said his Irish rival was motivating all golfers to be better.
“Rory’s taken his game up a notch and that’s inspired me to work harder because he’s got to have more motivation than ever for
“He’s got a chance to complete things in a career that only so few have done, so he’s going to be really motivated. If my competition is really motivated and that good then I’m going to have to work really hard as well, so if you keep pushing
each other along that’s how everyone gets better and better.”
This week’s event was billed as ‘one versus two’, but Scott lost his world No2 ranking to Henrik Stenson last weekend after the Swede successfully defended his DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Scott looked destined to capture the ‘Big Three’ of Australian golf in 2013 after winning the Australian PGA and Australian Masters titles when he was one shot clear coming to the final hole of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney. However, he sent his second shot over the back of the green and took three shots to get down for a bogey.
“I’ve still got a thorn in my side about the Australian Open last year so it will be fun to have another crack at that,” Scott said.
THe 33-year-old believes his game is better suited to The Australian course after his near-miss at the Australian Masters in Melbourne last week.
“It’s a long, demanding course and that suits me,” said Scott. “If I get to hit the driver a bit more then it’s certainly to my advantage.”
US Masters runner-up Jordan Spieth, 21, is paired with Scott for the opening two rounds and looking for a big finish to a great year.
“He’s (Scott) a guy that when I’m paired with him, I’m excited because I did grow up idolising him and his game,” Spieth said.