A man on a mission, Adam Scott has arrived at Royal Birkdale intent on finally getting his hands on the elusive Claret Jug after a succession of painful British Open near misses.
"It's unfinished business for sure," a steely-eyed Scott told AAP ahead of Thursday's start to the 146th Open Championship.
Desperate to shed his tag as a one-major wonder, the 2013 Masters champion and former world No.1 says four top-10s - including a shattering second in 2012 - in his past five Opens have left a bittersweet taste in his mouth.
His collapse from four shots up with four holes to play at Royal Lytham preceded his equal third at Muirfield in 2013, another top five at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and a tie for 10th at St Andrews in 2015, after he led into the back nine.
The 37-year-old has clearly grown tired of being Open golf's nearly man.
"It's been a tournament I've been really close to breaking through at and obviously all we talk about is majors all the time and this is a very special one for everyone who has won it," Scott said.
"So for me now it's just about getting it done and that's all I'm worried about this week. My game is in good shape. I think all areas of my game are good enough.
"I just have to have some focus and get myself in position and, once I'm there, I believe I've got what it takes to do it."
As much as his series of close shaves have frustrated Scott, the world No.15 also draws confidence from consistently contending for golf's oldest and most prestigious trophy.
"I'm very confident I can handle myself on links (courses). I've played a lot of good golf on links courses now," he said.
"Some people get it really quick and others don't and as I've put in a little bit more, I've got out a bit more too.
"So I'm very happy with that but for sure it's unfinished business.
"I've just got to stay really patient for three days and hope that's going to put me in a position where I have a good chance on Sunday."
Further fuelling Scott's confidence is the fact, like Lytham, Birkdale - where he was tied 17th in 2008 - is a driver's course where only supreme accuracy off the tee will suffice.
"This one is more demanding on the ball striking so, for me, that's a good thing because generally I'm a good ball striker," he said.
"It's a little more defined and contained than some links courses. Some links courses give you some space to work with. This one not so much.
"So to have a really good score, you've got to play really good.
"It's going to be hard to fake it around here."
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