Scott getting back on track

Scott: Problems behind him

Last year was a frustrating year for me - it was the first time in my career that I had really struggled.

Adam Scott
Quotes of the week

Also see

• US Tour Schedule
• World Rankings
• Golf live on Sky Sports

Adam Scott is looking forward to getting his career back on track after his first PGA Tour appearance of the year garnered second place in the Sony Open.

The Australian rose to as high as fourth in the world rankings last year but recurring tonsilitis, a dislocated kneecap and a relationship break-up meant 2008 provided a 'bump in the road' for the talented 28-year-old.

Starting last week ranked 18th, Scott jumped four places after his performance in Hawaii and now travels to Doha to defend the Qatar Masters title he won 12 months ago with a final round of 61.

Tipped as a future Major winner at the start of the decade, Scott has won 14 events worldwide but his biggest success came in 2004 in the Players Championship, and he is looking to return to that level of form and challenge for Majors again.

"I think I've done well, but I think I could have achieved more," he said. "Last year was a frustrating year for me - it was the first time in my career that I had really struggled and it wasn't even really struggling on the course.

"It was more just a bit of a struggle with everything else going on. Injury, illness, some personal stuff.

"It was probably the first time there was a bump in the road for me. My career had just cruised along nicely.

"It was good to learn a lot and a few things have certainly motivated me a hell of a lot more in the last couple of weeks."

No surgery

The Aussie has vowed to cut down on his off-course sporting activities in an attempt to avoid a repitition of the knee injury that ended his season early.

"I just have really hyper-mobile kneecaps and obviously I have to be quite careful," he added.

"The first time was in high school playing basketball and the problem is that there are six different surgeries they can do and a different doctor will recommend a different one. There's no foolproof fix for it.

"As long as it doesn't affect me playing golf I can get by. I don't really want to go in and have surgery and, like, change my leg if that could possibly change the way I play golf.

"So I'll try and last as long as I can without going under the knife. I haven't had a problem with surfing and that's something I love to do, but maybe

I'll have to cut out things like skiing and tennis and anything that involves me running around."

The Qatar Masters is Scott's only visit to the Middle East this season as he plans to rest for a month to fully rehabilitate the knee before building up to the Masters in April.