Australian Masters: Adam Scott focused on hat-trick bid in Melbourne

Adam Scott insists he is focused solely on this week's Australian Masters and is not yet thinking about next week's showdown with world No 1 Rory McIlroy.

The Australian world No 2 is hoping to become the first man to claim three successive Australian Masters gold jackets before moving on to the Australian Golf Club for the Australian Open.

Scott missed a chance for a perfect end to 2013 when he bogeyed the final hole of last year's Australian Open at Royal Sydney, with McIlroy holing a giant birdie putt to win.

The pair will resume their rivalry in Sydney next week, but first Scott will defend his Australian Masters title at Melbourne's Metropolitan course, starting on Thursday.

Concentrate

"It's pretty easy for me to concentrate this week," said Scott.

I've got a lot on the line and I can make my own little bit of history in the Australian Masters.

"I've got a lot on the line and I can make my own little bit of history in the Australian Masters and hopefully win three in a row and that's where my head's at.

"If I do that it will only put me in better shape for next week so I'm only thinking about this tournament and will have to deal with Rory and all the other guys next week.

"I've still got a thorn in my side about the Australian Open last year so it will be fun to have another crack at that."

Scott arrived in Melbourne last week for an extra round to familiarise himself with the Metropolitan, despite having played the sand-belt course about 10 times.

"I certainly feel like I've prepared well and I'd love to keep this good run going," he said. "I need to get my head around the Metropolitan pretty quickly."

Scott will work with seasoned caddie David Clark this week after his split with Steve Williams.

Among his opponents in the Masters will be American duo Kyle Stanley and Boo Weekley and Australians Geoff Ogilvy, Stuart Appleby and Robert Allenby.