The Masters 2019: Adam Scott has 'fire in the belly' ahead of bid to win another green jacket

James Pavey

The Masters 2019: Adam Scott has 'fire in the belly' ahead of bid to win another green jacket image

Away from his emotions on the 10th green five years ago, Adam Scott casts a phlegmatic character at other times.

Scott nearly burst blood vessels twice in an hour back in 2013. First, at the 18th green, and later, at the 10th green on the second playoff hole.

His win at Augusta National in 2013, when he defeated 2009 champion Angel Cabrera in dying light and pouring rain, will forever remain one of Australian sport's greatest days.

It has since been a lean run of late for the world No. 29 - he is winless on the PGA Tour since back-to-back victories at the Honda Classic and WGC-Cadillac Championship in early-2016.

At Augusta National, since that magical day six years ago, Scott has managed just one top 10 finish.

Last year was particularly deflating as he failed to break 70 and he quietly finished in a tie for 32nd.

THE MASTERS 2019: Australian TV coverage, Augusta tee-off times and bettings odds

AUSSIES AT AUGUSTA: Leishman confident he can break major drought | Smith grouped with McIlroy, Fowler | Injury dramas not standing in Day's way

However, there have been changes aplenty for Scott heading to Augusta in 2019. He linked up with brother-in-law and coach Brad Malone last year, and is with a new caddie in John Limanti.

Momentum has been building so far this year for the Queenslander - he was second at Torrey Pines and tied-seventh at Riviera, before tying for 12th at the Players Championship.

The 38-year-old arrived in Augusta last week, and on Sunday, he played a full practice round with his father Phil.

Before The Players, Scott was pleased with his form: "I feel very good about where my game’s at... I played in the last group twice in my last four events on a Sunday and just didn’t quite get over the line both times."

Adam Scott

Hungry to burst back onto the winners' list and break his own personal drought, Scott is confident his plans can come to fruition.

"I feel I’m on top of my game, just at that point for me to go out and execute it,” he said earlier this month.

"I’ve done the work, and I will do work before I get there, I’ll be ready. I’ve got a good plan.

"I’m very confident that I’ll be ready to play there."

After speaking with Scott ahead of the 2019 tournament, former pro Paul Gow said his countryman has the "fire in the belly" back.

"I’ve got to say, I’ve interviewed him a lot over the years, but there is some fire in the belly. He can’t wait," Gow said on a Fox Sports-produced podcast.

"Mid-last year, at the Genesis [Open] in LA, I interviewed him there and he just didn’t have it.

"He was going to have his second child... back then I don’t know if he did have the motivation, but now he has.

"Somebody of that much ability, that ball-striking ability... he wants to win this golf tournament. He is pumped."

ADAM SCOTT: MASTERS RECORD

YEAR FINISH SCORE
2002 T9 -3
2003 T23 +5
2004 CUT +9
2005 T33 +6
2006 T27 +4
2007 T27 +12
2008 T25 +4
2009 CUT +2
2010 T18 -1
2011 T2 -12
2012 T8 -4
2013 1 -9, won in playoff
2014 T14 +1
2015 T38 +1
2016 T42 +11
2017 T9 -2
2018 T32 +1

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo