In a week on the PGA Tour when a slightly diminished quality of field was tipping it up at the Valero Texas Open it did not make a win by Adam Scott any less heroic. The Aussie used a marathon of quality golf today to re-establish his winning ways on the PGA Tour.
In capturing his seventh PGA Tour title Scott was in full flight through the 36 holes of golf he was required to play on Sunday after weather delays had hampered the normal schedule. His rounds of 66 and 67 were attained with the golf swing that looked like the Adam Scott of old and, save for a bobble on the 18th green; his putting stroke was just as pure.
Not only was a long day but it was a strange day as Scott posted 14 under par and then had to wait more than an hour and a half to see if any other player could catch him. Freddie Jacobsen had the best opportunity but a less than fruitful back nine, especially with the putter, left him one stroke shy of forcing a playoff.
Jimmy Walker required a hole out from 280 yards on the 18th to tie Scott but his bold second shot would eventually net him a profitable birdie and a share of 3rd place with Aaron Baddeley and Ernie Els.
Scott, whose stock plummeted in recent years, was ecstatic at the final result. Understandably he had been very frustrated with the state of his game and this win is a big step on the way back to the top tier of the World Golf Rankings. Knowing that he was returning to form he made the unusual decision to play the event this week and it paid off handsomely. “Well, you know, obviously feels great to win any event anywhere but to win on the PGA Tour again is a big step. It was a good field here this week, “commented Scott after the round. “I could feel the game was there, that's why I put this in the schedule. I never played San Antonio before. It was a good date for me for a little three week stretch and, you know, finally put it altogether.”
Another attraction for the winner this week was the golf course, one he took a shining too immediately. The Greg Norman designed AT&T Oaks Course at the TPC San Antonio had a familiar feel. “Well, yeah. I guess, you know, when I played Tuesday I was amazed how much it looked like some of the courses back at home…Felt like the landscape looks very similar to back home, kind of harsh, scrub land off the fairways and I had a feeling I knew Aussies would do well here this week. Greg's greens are a lot like some of the sandbelt greens back at home, you know, that design and the bunkering. I felt comfortable on it and I think a lot of the other Aussies did, too, because there were a lot of Aussies up there through 36 holes this week and when you feel comfortable like that, it certainly helps.”
Now with a win under his belt it seems that Adam Scott is ready to make a return to prominence, something he feels himself. “I knew my game was close but you need this boost maybe to bring you right back up to the top and play at the top level in the biggest events. That's where I feel like I'm heading. It just needs a little sharpening up here and there and I feel like I'm still as good a player as I ever was. So, you know, I got to take the momentum and confidence and run with it from here.”
With the win Adam Scott moves to No. 17 in the FedEx Cup race and also picked up $1.098 million.
More importantly he knows he can still win on the PGA Tour again and with three majors and plenty of season left in 2010 it just might happen again before the year is over.
This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
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