THE 150TH OPEN

July 17, 2022

Adam Scott

Mixed Zone

Q. One, Cameron, you've known him for a little while. Is this kind of inevitable, do you think, that he'd have the opportunity to do this?

ADAM SCOTT: I don't know if you can ever say that, but yeah, I guess off the talent, yeah, for sure.

Q. What is it about his game that impressed you?

ADAM SCOTT: He's tough, and he's owned his game, I think, quickly. He's learned how to play golf very well very quickly. I think his mind is a big asset, as his putter.

Q. It felt like, when you won the Masters, you were playing for more than just yourself. Felt like all of Australia was there. Can you kind of empathise what Rory would go through in a similar situation here? You get the feeling you're playing for more than just yourself?

ADAM SCOTT: Yeah. I mean, there's no doubt everyone is on his side cheering for him. Yesterday was an incredible atmosphere out there. I was probably four or five groups from Rory, but I felt like everyone was cheering for Rory.

Today it was very quiet for the longest time, and it was a very calm atmosphere today. I don't know what's going on out there, to be honest, but it was very different yesterday. I got the impression of exactly what you're saying. Probably different in Rory's group than my group.

Q. When you feel that pressure, does it motivate you, or does it sort of add to the stress?

ADAM SCOTT: I think it depends where you are. I mean, he's in such a good place generally with his golf. He plays well every week. At the moment I think he's really in control of things, and he knows how to handle it, if anyone does out here.

He's played with maybe the most pressure on him for the last decade really. The expectations on Rory are incredibly high, and that's his own fault for playing so good at the start of his career (laughter).

Q. I'm a coach, and I teach little kids. I read that your father did turn games and things of that sort. What can you tell us about your experience growing up? Games or activities that your father did to encourage you and help you improve in your growth?

ADAM SCOTT: He had me just being active. I think I played a lot of sports really until I was 13 years old. I was trying to play lots of different sports. And bit by bit, they went away, and I ended up just playing golf from about 13. Because I think, if you're just doing one thing too young, it's probably not going to turn out very good for you.

But as far as games with golf, it was anything just to have a club in the hand, chipping. I remember chipping to a bucket at home in the backyard. A few little challenges here and there in competitions, some incentive, maybe 20 cents for an up-and-down out of a bunker and things like that just to see some reward even though you may not win all the time. Keep you working hard. Keep you loving the game.

I think he did a good job of making sure that I always loved the game and never got frustrated with it.