If there's any comfort Adam Scott can take from a lacklustre Australian Open campaign, it's that this time he's not leaving Sydney "gutted" by a Stonehaven Cup near miss.
The 36-year-old's bid for a second national championship stalled at Royal Sydney with only two rounds under par.
His six-under total left him in a share of 14th and six back of the three-way playoff won by Jordan Spieth.
When the Open was last held at the Rose Bay course in 2013, Scott infamously bogeyed the 72nd hole to open the door for Rory McIlroy.
"It was different leaving here last time; I was pretty gutted playing so well and to lose it on the last," said Scott. "(The two) are not comparable; completely different. I didn't even have a chance (this year) after the 11th hole.
"I wouldn't say there's any pain; I've won the Aussie Open before and I'd like to win it again. But I can't be annoyed when I don't play very well and don't win."
The world No.7 - a tournament favourite alongside American superstar Spieth - lamented his rusty short game for his worst Open result since 2012, when he also finished tied 14th.
"My chipping was woeful this week, for lack of practice," said Scott. "I just haven't worked on it since the Tour Championship (in September). I need to sharpen that up.
"I didn't play very well overall. I had one good round out of four."
Scott heads to Melbourne's Kingston Heath today to link up with compatriot Marc Leishman for the World Cup of Golf. The duo aims to defend Australia's 2013 team title achieved by Scott and world No.1 Jason Day, who withdrew citing injury.
"It is probably my favourite Aussie course," said Scott.
"I'm looking forward to it. I was lucky to win the (Australian) Masters there a few years ago. Winning at Kingston Heath is something big for an Aussie golfer and it'd be nice if we could put on a good show and hang onto the trophy that Jason and I won a few years ago."
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