THE PRESIDENTS CUP

September 25, 2024

Adam Scott

Royal Montreal Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Could you name everyone from your 2003 International Team?

ADAM SCOTT: Gosh, straight out of the gate? Do you want me to actually have a go or -- a yes or a no?

I'll have to think. Ernie. Nick. Tim Clark. Retief. Stuart Appleby. Stephen Leaney. Robert Allenby. K.J. Choi. Peter Lonard. Let me think, maybe there was another South African and Australian. I think there was maybe five Australians. Stewart, Robert -- I've said all the Australians. There was Ernie, Retief, Tim, Mike Weir. Sorry. What a shocker.

One more? Is it a South African?

Q. Winningest person.

ADAM SCOTT: Vijay.

Q. What do you think is different this year?

ADAM SCOTT: Lots of things. I think we are putting forward our strongest team for quite a while. I think things have been moving in a positive direction for our team since Ernie sock over as captain.

There's been a lot of talk about the Shield. But that is something, and it's becoming bigger and bigger, and there are guys like Min Woo on this team who basically his golf life has been aiming to play for the International Shield.

You know, our team effort and dynamic has changed so much. The captains, the program the captains have put into place for us, they are kind of teeing everything up for us.

I think a couple years ago was a tough, tough spot for us at Quail Hollow. You know, a few guys who may have been on our team weren't there, and the last few years, we've rebuilt and we've put together a formidable team.

I think playing the United States is never easy, whether you're the Internationals or Europe, but we can take inspiration from what Europe has managed to do with general on paper being the underdogs.

We are determined to go out there this year and change the script of this event. Certainly I want to improve my record in this event, and I'm very determined. I don't know how many more opportunities I'll get, if any. So this is a big week for me, but I have a lot of belief in this team. I can't remember feeling so comfortable coming into a Presidents Cup.

Q. Inaudible.

ADAM SCOTT: I don't think so. I think I made a conscious effort, maybe it was the last time. Maybe it was in Melbourne, I can't remember. It was kind of the old guard of the Presidents Cup Internationals stopped playing. I stopped dwelling on that and really just started looking forward to these events, to the opportunity of winning and all the players on this team, maybe with the exception of me, are fresh, not so much.

But they are my inspiration for the Presidents Cup now. They are my motivation to do well. They have an opportunity, along with me this week, to win this event, and they might have the opportunity to win many of them.

Q. What does it mean to you, you've done so much for the game, your legacy is already there. How much would it mean to win --

ADAM SCOTT: I don't know how I'd feel. I mean, it is, certainly, something I've thought about, with Hideki as well, Jason. We've been around over ten years, each of us now. You know, it is -- it is an accomplishment outside of our individual performances that we miss. I think if I answered now, I would probably underestimate the impact it would have if we were to get a win.

Q. What does it take to lead and play at the highest level?

ADAM SCOTT: For over 20 years? Yeah, I mean, I think I started by having very lofty goals as a kid. You know, my dreams were big, and I've achieved some of those but I haven't achieved them all, including winning this event. It's the lack of accomplishing them that keeps me motivated at this point. And you knows are just being quite driven, I guess. You know, if I'm going to start analyzing myself, driven to not give up on that.

I think it would be fairly easy to kind of let go at this point, having had a nice career out here. But I still truly believe that I have more to add to my resumé.

Q. I know there's a lot of talk -- curious did anyone bring up in the team room Shigeki Maruyama going 5-0-0?

ADAM SCOTT: Yeah, it's been great to have him back involved. Obviously for had I deck it, that's nice. They shared a great experience at the Olympics recently.

But the successes like that are few and far between over the years for our team.

So to have the guy here who went 5-0 in Melbourne is great inspiration, and for me personally, I mean, to go undefeated this week, is a fantastic goal. Because my record isn't that stellar in this thing, and I'd love to change that this week. Coming off the back of playing well this summer, I feel, you know, the best thing I can do is contribute points for this team.

Q. How do you feel about your season and your game and your play, how much was this a motivation for you?

ADAM SCOTT: For sure, this team was huge motivation for me at the end of the season. Other than making sure you're in the Top-50 of the FedExCup and then wanting to make Atlanta and wanting to win PGA TOUR events, one, I didn't want to putt Mike in an awkward position to pick an old guy.

And I also wanted to show him, you know, that I -- that I have the game, and it was important for me to qualify for this, and I ended up doing that nicely.

So -- and I know what these events take to perform and win matches. It's an intense situation, and that extra confidence from my good play this summer is going to serve me well this week.

Q. (On what it will mean Canadian players, Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith playing on home soil this week.)

ADAM SCOTT: He's going to have one of the most memorable weeks of his career this week. Like I said, I've never felt so comfortable coming in, not because of my game necessarily being good. But I watch a lot of this stuff all year. I watch a lot of these guys play. Even though I'm playing my own game, I observe, and these guys are no joke. They are incredible players. They are going to step up this week.

I recently had a similar experience in Australia playing the 2018 Presidents Cup. It's one of the most memorable weeks for me in my life, even though we didn't win, it was close, but to play in front of the home crowd is something that in my life, I haven't done that much, believe it or not, on a big stage like the Presidents Cup.

I play events in Australia every year, but with the best Americans coming down, and the best other foreign players playing on a big stage like that is truly special. So Mac and Corey and Taylor and Mike this week are going to have such memorable weeks.

Q. Do you allow yourself to be antagonizing --

ADAM SCOTT: The antagonizing works if you can back it up on the course. Truly, I believe that. If you put the needle out there and then go out and win some matches, that's a nice tactic. But you have to back it up. Because I'm pretty sure, if the needle gets put out there, you're going to antagonize and you're going to stir up and the other guys are going to play with a chip on their shoulder.

So you'd better be ready to back it up on the course if you're going to throw some stuff out there.

Q. One of the things that's unique, you guys practise separately. When you get out on the first tee and see the Americans for the first time, what is that conversation like? Is there any sort of gamesmanship?

ADAM SCOTT: I think it's just a bit of a play well thing. I think it's a courtesy thing at that point. I kind of get what your question is. Even seeing them at the function last night, okay, here we go, we're going to meet the enemies this week.

You know, you kind of get the pleasantries out of the way last night, and it's down to business. You know, I have great relationships with all of those guys. But they will know this week, you know, I'm not out there batting with them. It's just a courtesy on the first tee and the whole way around. It should be played in a good spirit but we want to beat them bad.

Q. Other players on this team, where they fit, is there someone bringing the energy?

ADAM SCOTT: Yeah, I think there are natural things that develop every year. We have Min Woo this year, quite a character. Not the youngest player but a lot of energy, and that will filter through the team as well.

You know, I really feel, like I said before, we've put together a really great team. I don't -- I don't even feel the need to be that vocal. This is going to be say shared job this week. Everyone is going to have to pull their weight and everyone is going to have to do a bit. I've never seen our team look so confident.

Q. (On playing for prize money vs. charity this week.)

ADAM SCOTT: Well, in a roundabout way, we kind of always have benefitted, whether it's with a charitable donation or something. I think whether it's prize money or a charitable donation, that's a big enough gesture for the players.

We're professional golfers. But there's a balance, as well. You know, we do very well on the PGA TOUR with prize money. You know, there's parts of giving back, whether it's actually giving back charitable dollars or giving back by showing up and not competing for prize money for a week. It all should be a fair balance, is what I think, and I think we are at a place where that's fine.

Q. (More on Maruyama.)

ADAM SCOTT: Yeah, well, he's quite a personality. You know, he's a smiley face for us. I was saying before, he's a player who has had incredible success in this tournament, 5-0, undefeated in Melbourne, winning the Cup in Melbourne. Only he and Ernie are here who have won the Presidents Cup. We tied in South Africa. But you know, he's a great addition, obviously, for Hideki.

But for me, too, and just generally a positive person, and that's what you want around this week.

Q. (More on Maruyama.)

ADAM SCOTT: Yeah, a little bit about his experience and golf, as well, playing the game, what he sees, talking about Japan. It's nice to catch up with him.

You know, we have a great atmosphere going in our room.

Q. What's your position if there's a deal with the PIF -- or the possibility that it doesn't happen?

ADAM SCOTT: It's possible it doesn't happen. I mean, it will ultimately be up to the Department of Justice to kind of guide that.

So you know, I think as we have read and as Jay has said, you know, both parties are working toward a deal. But it's not completely up to the two parties trying to do the deal.

Q. Feels like we've been hearing --

ADAM SCOTT: I don't know, I see some media, and some of it is completely speculation or rumor. But it's been going on a long time. So there's times when it seems like it's been -- sorry, it's constantly being worked on all the time.

Q. Can you talk about what Hideki brings to the team?

ADAM SCOTT: Well, he's our best player. I mean, that's a good start point. We need -- is he 6 in the world, or whatever he is? He's won twice, two big events this year. He brings the strength to this team. Whoever plays with him, it's like a dream pairing to play with Hideki. He's so good, and you know, we are going to lean on him this week.

We need him to deliver points. We need our best player to deliver points. He knows that. It's like I feel like I need to deliver more points than I have before, and you know, if a couple of the older, more experienced players can do that, hopefully it can filter down throughout the rest of the team.

Q. I know your relationship and how far back you guys go --

ADAM SCOTT: It's going to be great. Like I said, he's bringing energy to our team. Like a couple years ago, Tom Kim was re-energizing this team. Min Woo is adding to that. He's funny. You've got to watch out. Don't fall asleep in the wrong place or Min Woo will catch you out as you saw with Si-Woo.

But it is that youth. It's a different generation than when I was young. You know, they are confident. They don't fear anything. I hope he finds his rhythm out there early and has a great experience this week playing great golf because he's going to want to do it many times in the future.

Q. We've been asking players, what teammate's swing are they jealous of and some are saying you. What do you think of that, and is there anyone's swing you're jealous of?

ADAM SCOTT: My swing might look good. It doesn't always feel good, that's for sure.

Sungjae, ways, first of all, because that rhythm is so unique, that back winning probably takes how long my whole swing takes, and you know, for a guy who sometimes can get a bit fast and out of rhythm, I like to think of me swinging like Sungjae to kind of slow myself down.

Q. Do you enjoy seeing the videos --

ADAM SCOTT: Well, I'm lucky I was around when it was created and I've heard the story many times now. And I was a big supporter of creating this Shield as an identity for us to play under our own identity created by International players. It's important, and it's already had an effect.

I think the videos are just there to educate or remind players coming back for the second time maybe, or even the first time for a couple of us, you know, what this is all about.

But I think the shield has done an incredible job for international players. Even throughout the year, just seeing it around, whether it's on a golf towel in the locker room or a hat in the crowd, you know, that this International Team shouldn't be overlooked, and I think this week we're going to make sure we're not.

Q. (Have you looked at what the United States have been doing this week)?

ADAM SCOTT: Yeah, I looked at what they are up to, and I'm privy to a lot of stuff because they are my mates, I guess. They think maybe I can provide some insight on some things.

I think it's a lot of work. I'd rather play at this point.

Q. Who is on the bag --

ADAM SCOTT: Who is on the bag -- Will, I'm sure I've played with him back in the day, for sure. That's funny. Opposites attract.

Q. Can you please describe one word in English for Hideki?

ADAM SCOTT: Master.

Q. Why master?

ADAM SCOTT: I just have so much admiration for what he does, the pressure he deals with playing for all of Japan, as their greatest player ever, I think. You know, he is the master.