The Open: Adam Scott motivated by Lytham collapse in 2012
Last Updated: 17/07/15 8:58pm
Adam Scott is hopeful he can banish his Open ghosts and claim the tournament's 144th edition at St Andrews after moving into contention on Friday.
The Australian feels he has given himself a chance to claim the Claret Jug after climbing the leaderboard to seven under with a bogey-free, five-under 67 in the second round.
The 35-year-old admits he is still bothered by his failure to close out victory at Lytham three years ago, when he surrendered a four-shot lead by bogeying the last four holes to gift the title to Ernie Els.
He recovered to win the Masters in 2013 but, having also been in contention at Muirfield and Hoylake in the last two years, is still anxious to end his Open heartache.
Scott said: "I'm very motivated. I definitely let that one slip and I would love to be sitting here having won the Open.
"I've had a couple of good looks at it since then. I played really well last year and was just too far behind, and then at Muirfield I was leading on the back nine and (Phil) Mickelson finished great and I didn't.
"I think I'm playing with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder.
"I tried to brush it off and I did see all the positives. I played so well and really it was the first time I'd ever kind of controlled the outcome of a major championship.
"But that really did hurt. I just wanted another crack at it.
"I probably carried that chip into the Masters and maybe it got a little bit smaller, but still I feel like I've been really close to lifting this trophy and I'm very motivated to do it this weekend now that I'm in this position. I'd be very disappointed if I never did it in my career when I have got so close.
"Getting into contention at this championship and having a chance to lift the Claret Jug is what it's all about. This is a great position. I'm excited for my weekend."
