Adam Scott believes the “incredible” resurgence that’s left him in a challenging position after the opening round of the British Open is all down to using golf equipment he last employed successfully eight years ago.
The 44-year-old Queensland star revealed before his upsurge at last week’s Scottish Open when he came perilously close to winning his first PGA Tour event for four years, he had returned to using iron shafts he last employed in his successful 2016 season.
And using those clubs again at Royal Troon on Thursday morning helped the popular Australian veteran to a one-under par 70 that left him as one of only 17 players to break par on the opening day, five shots behind English leader Dan Brown.
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“Like most weeks this year, I moved some equipment things around leading into the Scottish Open, kind of moved them all into the right spot throughout the bag, from the driver all the way down,” explained Scott, after launching in fine style his 24th successive British Open and 93rd consecutive major in all.
“A nice pattern started emerging in my swing before the Scottish Open with those few adjustments to the equipment.
“It’s incredible. It’s one of those things I’ve been looking for, like it just started feeling easy again whereas I feel like it’s been hard work and I don’t know why. I couldn’t quite figure it out.
“It wasn’t really like a technical thing. It was really more the shafts and the irons actually, allowed me to just start swinging a lot better.
“I just had an instinct that I should go back and try an iron shaft that I’ve used once before – I’ve only ever really used three different shafts in my career – and it was a good time to do it last week. It fell right into place.
“It felt easy to swing the club again. It was much less work for me, which is a nice feeling.”
Scott laughed he had used the shafts back in 2016. “I don’t know why I changed from it,” he smiled ruefully. “I played good that year – so, of course, I changed it.”
The difference, though, has been huge. “It would be great,” he said, of the prospect of contending again for another major, 11 years since he won the Masters.
“My game is finally in some decent shape where I feel like I’m controlling the ball well. That’s what you need to do out here, especially if you’re going to give yourself a lot of chances.
“I was pleased to be in contention (at the Scottish Open) because the fact of the matter is that’s the first time I’ve contended this year.
“My game felt a lot better tee to green, and that showed up for the first time really in four years or so I’ve had some confidence in some form going into a major.”