November 6th 2012, Singapore: Australia's Adam Scott is eager to end his year with a victory when the US$6 million Barclays Singapore Open tees off on Thursday.
Having secured a hat-trick of victories at the Barclays Singapore Open in 2005, 2006 and 2010, the Australian hopes to savour the winning feeling again as he returns to one of his favourite hunting grounds in Asia.
“I had a good finish last week after coming off a five week break. But I’m getting to the point now that I am getting a little desperate to win a tournament. There are not that many left and this one would be a great one for me to do that,” said Scott, who finished in eighth place in Shenzhen, China last week.
“I’ve always enjoyed tremendous support here in Singapore and I’ve made some fantastic friends here and particularly at Sentosa Golf Club. So it is a fun week to come back and meet up with everyone. It is a relaxed atmosphere and I do enjoy the golf course,” added the world number six.
The Australian has not won since the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August last year and his drought included his well-documented collapse at this year's British Open.
Although critics may have questioned his mental ability when he surrendered a four-shot lead with four holes to play and lost by a single stroke to South African Ernie Els at the British Open, Scott is adamant that his game is still in good shape.
“My attitude towards the game has not changed at all. In fact, it has reassured me that I am doing all the right things. Putting myself in that position, playing that quality of golf at the right time, that is what I am trying to do,” said Scott.
“When the Majors come around next year I will be doing the same stuff to prepare myself. It has filled me with confidence more than anything else, more belief in myself that I have the game to win Major championships. Come April next year, I will be building myself up to have a good run during the Major season,” added the Australian.
Meanwhile American John Daly, who is one of the drawcards at the Barclays Singapore Open, hopes his second visit to the Lion City will be as enjoyable as the weather in the Far East.
“I like coming over here, at least it’s hot, I know it’s raining but at least it’s warm, it’s good for my old bones,” said Daly.
Known as one of golf’s most colourful personalities, Daly hopes the right persona will show up when the Singapore showpiece gets underway.
“I think that’s the intriguing thing about me, and I feel it every day. It’s like I don’t which John Daly will show up. But I know it’s a more trying and more dedicated John Daly every day now,” said the two-time Major winner.
“This year in particular, I’ve had some horrific rounds and horrific ball striking rounds but I’ve hung in there and that’s the thing I wish I had learnt at a young age. I think I’ve learned an awful lot on managing golf courses a little better over the years compared to the early 90s where I had no clue and I just went for everything,” added Daly.
Brimming with confidence following his win at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf last month, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington hopes he will not have to break a sweat to win the Barclays Singapore Open in the topical heat.
“Believe it or not, it doesn’t bother me one bit, it’s actually a big advantage for me to come here and play in the extreme heat. I’m disciplined in what I eat and drink.
“I’m fit and I don’t perspire too much. I’ve never been the guy you would see in a shirt with a pool of perspiration or anything like that,” said Harrington
Harrington hopes to erase the heartbreak of 2008 when he lost to Asian Tour honorary member Jeev Milkha Singh of India by a single shot.
“I lost in 2008 and it was probably my most bitter loss ever on a golf course. I was two shots ahead with three holes to play and I played them in two-over par, so I came close that year and I can certainly remember those three holes very well,” said Harrington.
This year marks the 49th staging of the Singapore Open which will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
