Dethroned Scott feels motivated by McIlroy’s brilliance

Jim Slater 05:45 06/08/2014
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  • Aiming high: Adam Scott.

    Adam Scott, dethroned from the world No1 ranking by Rory McIlroy entering this week’s PGA Champi­onship, is confident he can beat him at Valhalla and reclaim the top spot.

    The 34-year-old Australian, who won his first major title at last year’s Masters, dropped to second after McIlroy followed up his Open victory last month by winning the World Golf Championship-Bridge­stone Invitational Sunday.

    “It’s only motivating to see Rory play so well,” Scott said yesterday. “I’ve said a lot that I feel this is my time so I’ve got to beat whatever Rory is throwing out there and I be­lieve I can.”

    Scott became the first Aussie to win the Masters, defeating Argen­tina’s Angel Cabrera in a playoff last year. He won in May at Colonial in his first event as the world No1 and has had four top-10 finishes since, including joint fifth at The Open and ninth at the US Open.

    Where he once might have been satisfied with such an effort, Scott says the stakes have been raised now to the point where winning is all important.

    “It’s tough but at some point, you have to look for wins and that’s only what is going to satisfy me,” Scott said. “I’ve had lots of good finishes in majors… but I still didn’t get to lift the trophy and that’s at the end of the day why I’m working hard and putting in so much. I’d like to get the result.”

    After missing chances for months before finally moving past the in­jured Tiger Woods into the top spot, Scott was not disheartened at being overtaken by McIlroy.

    “It’s not extremely disappoint­ing,” Scott said. “I think the right guy is at No1 at the moment. He has played the best over the last couple of months.

    “My consistent play is good but you want the rankings to favour guys that win big events like that.

    “I hope I could go ahead and win this week and maybe go back to No1, but there’s no doubt Rory has played the best golf recently.”

    After near misses, Scott is ready to hoist another major trophy.

    “To do that would keep some great momentum going in the great scheme of things,” Scott said. “I would have won two majors in the last two years. It does have a nice ring to it, I must admit and can re­ally propel me into next year.”

    Scott could have been going for a third major in three years had he not squandered a four-shot lead with four holes to play at the 2012 Open Championship.

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