Scott banking on Williams’ experience

Dream team: Adam Scott, right, will be banking on the experience of caddie Steve Williams at the Masters

Adam Scott is hopeful that the experience of caddie Steve Williams will help him finally claim his first major at this week’s Masters Tournament.

Scott, who finished joint runner-up to Charl Schwartzel at Augusta last year, teamed-up with Williams after his acrimonious split from Tiger Woods last summer.

Woods and Williams had been together for 13 years, during which time Tiger won 13 majors, including three of his four Masters titles.

As such, the New Zealand-born Williams has plenty of experience of closing out major championships – something that his new Aussie employer Scott is hoping will stand him in good stead this week.

“Steve’s got a lot of experience everywhere,” said Scott. “He’s been caddying 30-plus years, and he’s obviously been very successful. He’s got a great knowledge of this golf course, and hopefully at some point there’s going to be that time when his knowledge shines through for us.

“He’s a very motivated guy and out here to compete. So, I’m fortunate to have a caddie like that.”

After his impressive performance last year, it could be argued that there is pressure on Scott to go one better at Augusta this year. However, the 31-year-old is trying to keep a lid on those expectations.

“I don’t feel too much pressure at all,” he said. “I’m probably not considered one of the favourites. There are a lot of other guys who have been playing very well so far this year.

“But I’m playing well myself. My game is in great shape. I haven’t played that much but this will be a good week to start posting some results. I think I take a lot of confidence out of last year in how I played the golf course and how I played on Sunday on the back nine in particular. So I’ll be looking to draw on that experience and hopefully keep that momentum going.”

It was at Augusta last year that Scott first used the long putter to such devastating effect and he says that gives him confidence going into this year’s tournament.

He said: “I think last year here was the best I’ve ever putted at any tournament. I three-putted the first green of the tournament, and I didn’t have a three-putt after that for the next 71 holes, which is a good effort around here considering how I had gone in the past.

“But I’m far more consistent putting with this . My stats in every category went up last year. I feel I make so many more putts from ten feet and in than before, so that’s great for my confidence. Every time I walk out on the course, I feel like I can have a good score no matter how I’m hitting it.”