Adam Scott says in good shape for Rory McIlroy showdown in Sydney
Adam Scott`s bid for an unprecedented hat-trick of titles at his home Australian Masters fell agonisingly short on Sunday, but the world number two declared himself in good shape ahead of his re-match with Rory McIlroy at the Australian Open this week.
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Melbourne: Adam Scott`s bid for an unprecedented hat-trick of titles at his home Australian Masters fell agonisingly short on Sunday, but the world number two declared himself in good shape ahead of his re-match with Rory McIlroy at the Australian Open this week.
The loss to the now top-ranked Irishman had been a `thorn` in his side, Scott said this week, but the 34-year-old will head to Sydney with confidence after storming home at Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne on Sunday to finish joint second, a stroke behind winner Nick Cullen.
"I felt in good shape coming here and just got knocked around a bit on Thursday with that northerly (wind)," Scott told reporters, referring to an opening round of 73 played in hot, fluky winds that left him playing catch-up.
"I got a bit out of sorts and it`s taken me a couple of days to kind of get back to where I thought I was.
"I`ve chipped away at it but I feel like I`m in good shape. Today was definitely the best I`ve swung the club, putted and chipped and did everything well today.
"Hopefully that`ll continue because... I`ve got a feeling (the Australian Golf Club) is going to suit my game a little more," he added of the Australian Open venue. "I just remember it`s a pretty long, tough golf course, demanding.
"So that kind of suits me if it`s that way. If I get to hit the driver a bit more, that`s to my advantage."
Scott started Sunday`s round four strokes adrift and pushed hard with three birdies on the back nine, but a monster putt for birdie on the 18th lipped out, giving compatriot Cullen enough breathing space to clinch the A$1 million ($867,000) event.
"It`s hard to win one tournament, let alone three years in a row," said Scott.
"Defending (last year) was a big thrill for me. But it is very difficult to just show up and you`re going to win every year. It doesn`t happen very much.
"Unfortunately I think Thursday was a bit costly for me. I was playing a bit better than that. But it is what it is."