Triumphant Scott eyes major improvement and top billing
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By Mark Lamport-Stokes
ATLANTA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Adam Scott set his sights on better performances at the majors after clinching the prestigious Tour Championship by three shots on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Australian, tipped by many as a future world number one, also accepts he needs to win more regularly if he is to become the game's leading player.
"Hopefully one day I'm going to get to number one," Scott told reporters after firing a four-under-par 66 in the final round of the PGA Tour's season-ending event at East Lake Golf Club.
"It might take a while, but if I was to be number one in the world at some point in my career, I think that would be the best achievement I could ever do in golf, getting past Tiger Woods."
"As for the majors, I'm starting to feel more like they're just any other event."
"My last two majors were really positive signs for me," added the world number four, referring to his tie for eighth at the British Open in July and his joint-third finish at the PGA Championship in August.
"I think this consistent play will get me there in a major."
Scott first served notice of his rich potential by winning the 2004 Players Championship, an event widely regarded as the unofficial fifth major.
He has since firmly established himself as a top-10 player and is satisfied he has earned the respect of his peers.
"I think I've come a long way this year as far as a lot of things go," the Australian said after clinching his fifth PGA Tour title, although his victory at last year's Nissan Open is unofficial after the event was rain-shortened to 36 holes.
"My game in itself has come a long way, but I think maybe I've come a long way in some other players' minds."
"It's certainly nice to have the respect of your peers for your playing abilities."
Scott was particularly pleased with his ability to keep bogeys to a minimum over the four rounds at East Lake.
"I was grinding hard," he said, having taken a three-shot lead into Sunday's final round. "After the (British) Open and the PGA (Championship) this year, I sat back and looked at some numbers.
"I make as many birdies as the winner every week, but for some reason I'm not winning because I make too many bogeys."
"I put a little bit of pressure on myself today, but I was determined to win. I felt like my game was really great and, no matter what anyone threw at me, I could give them a run today." |
