You’re about to play in your 25th consecutive Masters, an impressive streak for a golfer still in his prime. You debuted with T-9 in 2002. What’s a most vivid memory from that week? There are many, but birdieing the 16th on Sunday stands out. I hit one past the back-left pin and tickled it down the slope by the cup. The hillside makes the echo louder there anyway, but at that moment in my career, it was the loudest roar I had ever heard. Maybe I’m romanticising it all these years later, but it was very cool to get a feeling like that in my first year at Augusta. ● ● ● You were paired early with Fuzzy Zoeller, rest in peace. How was he to play with? Fuzzy was a great first Masters pairing. Off the first, I hit it straight into the right fairway bun- ker, which I considered a good result because I couldn’t feel my hands. Meanwhile, he’s whistling his tune walking off the tee box, puts his hand on my shoulder and tells me, “It’ll be OK from here.” ● ● ● It’s natural to imagine how one’s comfort level at Augusta National evolves. In the beginning I played well, probably making heaps of mistakes I was unaware of but still get- ting rewarded for my good play. Then there was this long period when I played on edge. You learn about all the trouble spots, like never go left on No 2, but every hole has somewhere disastrous not to go, and I started to steer away from them all. The turning point for me was 2010. My putting was a shocker that year but from tee-to-green I managed the course really well and thought, Right, I have this under control. ● ● ● What about key changes away from the course, like where you stayed or how you managed your time? For a number of years, I stayed at the Augusta Marriott as I had developed a relationship with the manager. Butch (Harmon), who was coaching me then, stayed there, too, and I remember lots of Monday nights in his room watching the NCAA basketball championship game, just the two of us and a couple of beers. Butch is a big sports guy – so fun to watch a game with. Then in 2011, I decided to change it up and rented a house with my good friend, Tim Clark. I didn’t much like the house rental thing, weirdly pushing aside clothes in somebody’s closet to make room for your own – but I finished tied for second that year. I rented that same house for 13 years thereafter. ● ● ● Alongside the Masters, Wimbledon is talked about as possibly the best-run sporting event in the world. How would you compare the two? Well, it’s different because I go as a spectator. It’s an incredible experience, and I hear that’s how it is for the patrons going to the Masters. The com- parisons must begin with the traditions, starting
obviously, with perfectly manicured grass. And then there are rules that create this fantastic envi- ronment to play in. At Augusta, people have their favourites, and we can all tell the difference be- tween the roar for a Tiger eagle or a Rory birdie, but it’s so rare for anyone to get out of line. Credit here for the Open Championship as well. For the tennis players, I imagine winning Wimbledon must feel similar to winning the Masters. I’m bi- ased as a champion, but there’s something about the Masters that resonates with golfers and people beyond golf. No disrespect to the other majors, I’d be thrilled to be champion of any of them, but it’s the yellow Masters flags I see every week for auto- graphs, everywhere I go. They just keep coming.
‘I won all the money both practice rounds . . . Ernie told my coach at the time, ‘Your boy is ready.’’
For perspective on the Masters and majors this century, is there a wiser voice than Adam Scott’s? Of all the accomplishments that place him at the door of the World Golf Hall of Fame – a Masters, a Players, a Tour Championship, 11 weeks at World No 1, 32 global wins – it’s his longevity that seizes attention. The 2026 Masters will mark Scott’s 98th consecutive major start. That is second all-time behind none other than Jack Nicklaus (146). In third place is Tom Watson with 87, and the next longest active streak belongs to Jordan Spieth who hits 50 this April. Tiger Woods has had so many pauses, of course, and recall even Rory McIlroy sat out the 2015 Open Championship with a ruptured ligament in his ankle. Because, rather than in spite of its pace, golf is a hard game in which to not blink. Year after year for a quarter-century, as strong and hungry new talent has come through, Adam Scott has never relinquished his seat at the big table. At 45, the father of three has stayed fit and relevant, even making the final pairing at the US Open last year. No doubt a textbook golf swing has kept his joints oiled, but the secret to all the success might be his mentality.
PERFECT ACTION Adam Scott‘s swing resembled Tiger’s when Scott won the 2013 Masters.
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 55
MARCH/APRIL 2026
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