Scott seeks third win at Barclays Singapore Open

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Nov. 12, 2008

SENTOSA, Singapore -- Australian Adam Scott will be aiming to cement his place in the history books by claiming an unprecedented third title at the $5 million Barclays Singapore Open starting on Thursday.

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Adam Scott tied for seventh at last week's HSBC Champions -- the '09 season opener for the European Tour.

The Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course has been a favourite hunting ground for Scott after triumphing in Asia's richest national Open in 2005 and 2006 before falling short of his hat-trick bid when he finished third last year.

With another world-class field assembled which includes Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, K.J. Choi and 18 of the top-20 players from the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, Scott knows he needs to produce his best golf to prevail.

"It's been a happy hunting ground for me here," said Scott today. "Whenever you come back to a place where you've played well, you get good vibes. I'm certainly looking to turn my game around a little bit and it's good to have the positive feelings.

"The first year, I really felt like the course fits my eye well. I hit a lot of good shots then and it was a really tough set-up. Ever since, I've always felt confident coming here. Whenever you win a tournament, not only do you get the good feelings, you have the pride to want to play well. My goal is to win this week."

Scott won tournaments in Qatar and the United States earlier this year but a series of injuries and illness have blighted his past few months and his world ranking has slipped to 17th after starting out the year in seventh place.

But with a chance to become the first man to win three Barclays Singapore Open titles, Scott wants to end his year on a high note at a venue which feels like his second home. Last week, he came out from a two-month break, finishing sixth in Shanghai.

"I was a bit rusty but I was happy with finishing sixth. It's the first time in a while where I put some consistent numbers on the board," said Scott.

The dashing Aussie paid tribute to the growth of the Barclays Singapore Open and Asian Tour. "I first played here in 2005 and it's grown so much in four years. It's incredible," he enthused.

"Just looking at the infrastructure around the ninth and 18th green, it's as good as any tournament in the world now. Looking at the quality of the field, this is a great event. Asian Tour events are growing, there is no doubt about that. I think after the US and European Tours, this has got to be the next biggest Tour. There is a lot of talent coming out as well," he said.

Choi, a graduate of the Asian Tour, was delighted to be a part of the Tour's showpiece event at Sentosa and hopes to put up a strong challenge to underline his status as one of the world's finest players.

An early season win at the Sony Open in Hawaii which was his seventh PGA Tour success has failed to translate into more victories but Choi likes what he sees at Sentosa.

"All parts of your game need to work well here. I have to play my A-game to win. I haven't won on the Asian Tour outside of Korea. It will look good on my resume to win," said Choi.

Like Scott, the Korean star also praised the rapid rise of the Barclays Singapore Open. "I never imagined that a US$5 million event would be held in Asia. I never imagined something like this would happen. It's a big step forward. The depth has gotten deeper, a lot better than it was a few years ago."

India's Jeev Milkha Singh, Asia's number one in 2006, knows that victory at the Barclays Singapore Open will seal a second Asian Tour's Order of Merit crown where he currently trails leader Mark Brown of New Zealand by over US$137,000.

He has enjoyed another stellar season with wins in Europe and Japan but victory at the Asian Tour's flagship tournament will cap his year on a high.

"I've been playing rock solid and my injuries are getting better. The course is in excellent condition and I'm looking forward to this week. I like how the course sets up as you have to think a lot," said Singh, who will play alongside merit leader Mark Brown and Ernie Els in the first two rounds.

"We've got two guys fighting for the Order of Merit which makes it exciting and adds to the pressure."

Singapore's hopes of producing its first local winner at the Barclays Singapore Open will rest on the experienced Mardan Mamat, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour.

He is trying to treat the event like any other in hope of diverting the pressure.

"I have to concentrate on what I have to do, take it one shot at a time. The crowds always want the local players to play well. I always tell myself that I can always win again. I've won twice already and once you've broken the jinx, you can do it again. I'm not pressuring myself so much. If I can finish in the top-10, I'll be happy," he said.