Australian Open: Adam Scott hoping to overcome Rory McIlroy in Sydney
Tuesday 25 November 2014 13:10, UK
Adam Scott will be looking for revenge over Rory McIlroy when the two stars battle it out in this week's Australian Open in Sydney.
World no 1 McIlroy won this title 12 months ago when edging out Scott with a birdie on the 18th hole, and said it paved the way for his superb 2015 when he re-established himself as the best player in golf with victories in the Open Championship and the US PGA Championship.
The two lock horns again at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney which last staged the tournament in 2007 when Craig Parry took victory and lifted the Stonehaven Cup.
Scott has only won his national Open once (in 2009) but feels this week's venue should suit him even though he's only played a handful of rounds there and none in competitive action as a pro.
"I remember it as a pretty long, tough golf course, very demanding. If I get to hit the driver a bit more then that's certainly to my advantage," said Scott, who slipped to world No 3 last week after Henrik Stenson moved past him with victory in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Kept apart
Organisers have chosen to keep McIlroy and Scott apart over the first two rounds. The Northern Irishman has been grouped with Aussies Geoff Ogilvy and Stuart Appleby and will be one of the early starters on Thursday morning while Scott has American Jordan Spieth and Australian Masters champion Nick Cullen for company in the afternoon.
Golf Australia championship director Trevor Herden said it had been a difficult decision but believed splitting the tournament's two big draw cards made sense.
“It’s very tempting, but there are several considerations when pairing the strongest world-class players in the Australian Open field,” Herden said in a statement.
“And it’s for the exact reasons that the Masters, US and British Opens and the US PGA separated these two guys this season.
“Just like all the major championships do, we will spread out the superstars across the draw to ensure as many people as possible see them.”
Both Scott and McIlroy go into this week's event on the back of runners-up finishes.
Queenslander Scott had to settle for second place in the Australian Masters after a 60-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole lipped out while McIlroy couldn't cash in on an opening 66 at the Earth course in Dubai and ended up in a three-way tie for second, two shots behind Stenson.
