Scott hoping to keep up improved U.S. Open form

Adam Scott started 2016 with back-to-back wins at the Honda Classic and the WGC-Cadillac Championship, before his form dropped off. He has not managed a top-10 finish since, with his last performance - at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational - a tied for 55th.

Published : Jun 16, 2016 13:45 IST , Oakmont

Adam Scott  is not expecting the Oakmont course to play too much differently.
Adam Scott is not expecting the Oakmont course to play too much differently.
lightbox-info

Adam Scott is not expecting the Oakmont course to play too much differently.

After a strong start to 2016, Adam Scott is happy to come into the U.S. Open off a two-week break.

Scott, World No. 8, started 2016 with back-to-back wins at the Honda Classic and the WGC-Cadillac Championship, before his form dropped off. He has not managed a top-10 finish since, with his last performance - at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational - a tied for 55th.

Since, Scott has been resting his mind and his body in preparation for his latest attempt at the U.S. Open, having finished a career-best equal fourth last time out.

"There was a lot of golf earlier in the year, and I kind of felt the effects of that, and I've been really careful since the Masters time to make sure that I'm fresher for this event," the one-time major winner said.

"I'm two weeks off, and I'm pretty glad I took two weeks off because this is going to be probably as tough a test as we've ever faced at a U.S. Open, depending on weather, but certainly the course setup is so demanding that I feel two weeks off, fresh, ready to go, done all the practice I can.

"But hopefully, if I get deep in this tournament, that's going to hold me in good stead when I need it the most."

This year's U.S. Open sees the event return to Oakmont, the scene of the 2007 event, and Scott is not expecting the course to play too much differently - though he is hoping to cope a lot better with the challenges.

"I don't really think too much is different between '07 and this year. Maybe the rough is a little thicker this time around. However, I found it quite difficult in 2007 as well," he said.

"I don't have a lot of great memories. I only played two rounds here, unfortunately, that year, and I played poorly. So I definitely would like to turn that around this week and have a much more memorable experience at Oakmont. I've enjoyed my practice rounds and my early scouting trip up here.

"I think I'm familiar with the golf course, and I've got my plan in place. So I'm looking forward to getting this U.S. Open under way."

But after last year's relative success, Scott is hoping to continue to bring some of his better form to the event. "I think I just finally played a little bit better at a U.S. Open. There's no doubt I'd not brought my best form," he said.

"I can't even remember a U.S. Open where I felt I was bringing my best form to, but I was playing well leading into Pinehurst and probably just determined to turn around my luck at the U.S. Open.

"At least I feel like I can get myself somewhat in the hunt at the U.S. Open after the last couple performances."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment