Adam Scott closes in on No.1 spot

Adam Scott could snatch Tiger Woods’ position at the top of the world rankings this week if results go the Aussie’s way at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Masters champion Scott, who made only his third appearance of 2014 at last week’s Honda Classic, where he tied for 12th, can ascend to the top of golf’s pile for the first time in his career if he wins at Doral and Woods finishes worse than seventh.

Scott has been ranked No.2 in the world since he won The Barclays in August, with Woods – in his 11th stint as No.1 – having occupied the top spot since March 25 last year.

However, that could all change this week depending on the scores posted on Doral’s new-look ‘Blue Monster’, particularly if defending champion Woods is unable to play. Back spasms forced the 14-time major winner out of the Honda Classic after just 13 holes of his final round and it is, as yet, unclear if he will play this week or not – leaving the door potentially ajar for Scott.

It is shaping up to be a rather big few weeks for Adam Scott, as he gets ready to defend his Masters title at Augusta National next month. The ‘Green Jacket’ was one of five titles won by the Aussie last year and that, he says, gives this year a slightly different feel.

“Even though I’ve just had a little bit of a break, I’m giving myself enough time to peak” – Adam Scott

“I think it feels different because of the good run I had last year and just my own expectation going into this year and trying to balance that, said the 33-year-old. “I’d love to pick up right where I left off and charge out and win another major and win PGA Tour events and anything I play in. But it’s not easy to do that, and a lot went into getting me to that point last year, and if I expect to have a year the same or better, then I think I’ve got to put in more, just have the same kind of year.

“So balancing my own expectations, I think, is something new for me to experience this year after coming in off my career year last year.”

Whilst his expectations may be changing, Scott’s routine certainly isn’t. He plans to stick with the ‘practice more, play less’ approach that has served him so well in the past two seasons. Indeed, last week at the Honda Classic was his first appearance in a PGA Tour event since the second week in January.

“The last couple years have been planned well and executed well and that’s what I’m trying to do this year,” he said. “Even though I’ve just had a little bit of a break, I’m giving myself enough time to peak. It’s obvious what I’m trying to peak for, but these are all important steps, and a poor performance sets you back. Confidence doesn’t keep growing. You want it to all kind of snowball.”

Adam Scott: A worthy No.1?

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor