Scott’s motivation for Aussie assault

Having missed last year’s Australian summer of golf, Scott is delighted to be back on home soil, with his first target being this week’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, where he has the chance to claim a third Joe Kirkwood Cup. “I’m really happy to be home,” he said. “It was great to touch down a couple days ago, have a few nice coffees and catch up with some friends and family, and I’m excited for the week ahead OF playing at my boyhood home club. “It’s always fun to come back to Royal Queensland and relive my junior pennant days and memories like that, so hopefully there’s a little magic out on the course for me this week.” Scott has similar hopes for next week’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. “(With) some good some good results, I can really carry some momentum into next year, and that’s what I really haven’t had this year, so they are (two) big weeks for me,” the 45-year-old Queenslander said. “I want to play well in front of a home crowd but also carry a lot of momentum and confidence into next season and make the most of it.” Next year could be historic for Scott. Should he maintain his run of consecutive appearances at the majors, which numbers 97, the 2013 Masters champion will reach 100 successive majors at June’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills. “I’m starting to turn into that kind of old golf pro who’s out there,” he said. “I remember when I turned pro, and I looked at some of those guys who are my age now and how old I thought they were, and that’s me, but personally, I feel physically and mentally able to do it still. “Fortunately, I’m not in the aches and pains phase yet, and I’m really motivated, until I get to that point at least, to try and keep competing. “I really think I just need to sharpen my focus a little bit and get back in that winner’s circle.” A strong year will also help Scott achieve his goal of making a 12th consecutive International team for the Presidents Cup, which takes place in September at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois. Scott is yet to taste a team Presidents Cup victory over the USA, and it’s something he’s desperate to change, with added motivation next year being that the International team will be captained by fellow Australian golfer and good friend Geoff Ogilvy. “Top on my list with winning tournaments is making the Presidents Cup team next year,” he said. “A lot has been put into the International team over the last few years. The team’s been dealt some tough blows the last three or four Cups, but Geoff’s really engaged and taking the bull by the horns for the international players. “I’d really love to be on that team. Geoff and I have played golf since we were juniors together, and I would love to get my game in shape to make that team and get that international win because I think it’s close.”