Frustration from Adam Scott's British Open near-misses has turned to inspiration as the world No.1 prepares to mount another tilt at the Claret Jug.
The world No.1, who celebrates his 34th birthday on Wednesday, spearheads a seven-strong Australian contingent at the 143rd Open starting at Royal Liverpool on Thursday.
Scott would dearly love to capture the title won twice by his boyhood idol Greg Norman.
Conceivably, Scott could have already matched Norman's haul had he made the most of his opportunities over the past two years.
Scott blew a four-shot lead in disastrous 2012 final-round meltdown at Royal Lytham while he was also in a winning position at Muirfield last year before an error-riddled finish cost him any chance.
Both were hard to swallow for Scott but, with the benefit of hindsight, the 2013 US Masters champion now views back-to-back top three finishes as proof his approach to links golf is working.
"I played really nicely the last two years and felt like I had control over my game on courses that make it easy to lose control," Scott told AAP on Sunday.
"At majors, when you're doing that, that's a very positive thing."
With that in mind, Scott is taking a "more of the same" approach into this year's tournament and says there's no reason he can't be in the mix again - and get over the line this time.
"The thing you've got to change is how it plays out on a Sunday," Scott said.
"You've got to make the right decision at the right time and the last couple of years I haven't done that at The Open.
"I managed to do it at the Masters but it's always going to be that one shot or one decision that is so crucial.
"I've had good looks at winning on Sunday and this year I'd like to put myself back in that position again and try and get the job done."
Scott, who has risen to the top ranking on the back of a superb start to the year, appeared composed and confident as he continued his meticulous preparations at Hoylake on Sunday.
While many golfers are yet to arrive at the historic course in north-west England, Scott has completed five full practice rounds in four days.
"Everything's been going great," said Scott, who has not played competitively since achieving his best US Open result (tied ninth) earlier this month.
"The swing's managed to stay in the right place and I feel like in the few days I've been here, I've hit a lot of quality shots and the comfort level is pretty high with all that.
"It's just about kind of managing the nerves and expectation and not getting in front of yourself and remembering what I've done the last couple of years to put myself in a position on Sunday to win."
Hoylake - a tight, relatively flat course with a layout demanding strategic play - last hosted the event in 2006 and Scott has happy memories to draw on, finishing tied for eighth for his first British Open top ten.
He is joined in this year's event by fellow perennial major contender Jason Day along with John Senden, Matt Jones, Brett Rumford, Rhein Gibson and Bryden Macpherson.
Share
