Adam Scott and Jason Day are hopeful this week's World Golf Championships-Match Play won't hurt their Masters preparations despite its new proximity to the season's opening major.
With both Australians in winning stroke play form, the switch to match play format, and the accompanying adjustments, just two weeks out from the Masters is far from ideal.
Previously the match play event was held in February on the US west coast but it was moved to late March this year, the first time Austin Country Club in Texas has hosted.
Scott, in particularly, has made a habit of taking time off in the lead up to the Masters, a scheduling that worked when he won the green jacket in 2013.
"I was considering whether or not I should play this week because my preparation has proven to be good with two weeks off heading to the Masters but I decided to play in the end," Scott said.
"It gets a little bit in the way but I don't make the schedule, or get a say in it, so I have had to adjust accordingly.
"It is very hard to fit everything in, we have so many good tournaments now.
"But I am here to play, I'm not just here to have a jolly on for the week.
"I'd like to make the most of it and try to win a World Golf Championships-Match Play and get closer to winning all the WGC events."
Day, who has faced problems with burnout before thanks to his vertigo issues, decided to forego practice rounds in Austin to stay fresh.
He dearly wants to recapture the title he won in 2014, but wants a green jacket more.
With a good result, he could enter the Masters as the new world no.1.
"I need to try to conserve as much energy as I can, because this week is a very long week and it can be very taxing, not only physically, but mentally," Day said.
"It's hard because you could come and play fantastic golf for three straight days and the guys that you're playing may play a little bit better you and you're going home Friday night.
"It's a different style for sure.
"I always talk about being patient but it's kind of different story this week, you can't really be as patient.
"You've got 18 holes, you've got to go out there and beat them...you have to go out and be aggressive."
Share
