Adam Scott has had a career as reliable, you might say, as a trusty-old watch.
Scott, 43, became the first – and remains the only – Australian to have won the Masters in 2013. He’s also reached world No. 1 in 2014 and has competed on the last 10 International Presidents Cup teams. In addition to collecting trophies around the world, Scott has accumulated quite a collection of watches.
“The first Rolex that I ever acquired was perhaps a strange choice for a young kid. It was a pink-gold Day-Date and to this day, it is still such a beautiful watch,” he said. “It was an odd choice for a 21-year-old to pick that but at the same time, a great choice. Every time I put that watch on, I feel really great about it.”
When he won the Masters in 2013, he was presented a Sky-Dweller model with “Masters Champion 2013” inscribed on the back. “That’s such a special watch to me because of what it stood for,” he said.
His other favorite? “The one that I was wearing when I was presented the Green Jacket at the Masters in 2013 which was a Sea-Dweller Deep-Sea. When I see that in pictures and at home, it triggers quite an emotional response,” said Scott, who is pictured below wearing the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40.
As we approach the 88th Masters Tournament, Scott participated in a wide-ranging Q&A through his partnership with Rolex that touches on his memories from winning the Masters in 2013, his favorite Masters moment and his iconic winning photo.
Q: You became Australia’s first winner of the Masters when you beat Angel Cabrera in a play-off in 2013. Did this moment exceed all expectations and dreams you had as a golfer growing up?
AS: It definitely did. Everyone has their own story as to how they get to that point where they achieve their dreams and so it is very meaningful for everybody. I could not have asked for a better way of getting there. What made it so meaningful for me was that I had suffered a defeat the previous summer at The Open in 2012 and there was something in me that just was not going to give in until I won a major championship, and it happened to be at the Masters.
When you think about the Masters, you think about springtime, flowers in bloom, blue skies and birds chirping, but it was certainly not the case that year. It was raining and there was a very low ceiling of clouds in the sky. The golf fans stayed to watch great golf, and everything fell into place on that second playoff hole. When you watch replays of it, you can see how I overcome with emotion I was because it is a truly surreal feeling when a putt catches the left side of the hole and goes in as it could have just as easily slipped by. Everything fell into place at that moment. The Masters Tournament has its own special traditions and ways about it that, certainly in Australia, means that it transcends the game. To have the accomplishment of being the first Australian to win the Masters has certainly been a big thing in my life and here in Australia.
Q: How do you manage the pressure and expectations while challenging for a title at such a prestigious event like the Masters?
AS: It is mixed feelings. The first thought that I had when going into the playoff in 2013 was ‘at least it’s only one other guy now.’ When I had started the week, there were about 90 other competitors so it being narrowed down to only one other player was good. I remember arriving back down at the 18th tee for the first playoff hole and the nerves really started building. All of a sudden, it felt like I was teeing off again and the nerves were certainly there but once we got going, I was back into the flow that I had that afternoon. It was lucky that the nerves settled down quickly and I got back into that flow because I then hit a few good shots in a row. Very quickly, it was then down to that final putt on the second play-off hole because we were not going to play another hole that night if I tied the hole due to it being too dark, which would have been the hardest night to sleep ever!
Q: The Masters has produced some of the most iconic moments within sports history. What are your three most iconic Masters moments?
Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia plays a stroke from the No. 4 tee during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 9, 2022.
AS: I think Jack Nicklaus winning in 1986 is a big one. I am taking inspiration from Nicklaus winning at 46 years old at this point!
Tiger Woods winning his first Masters title in 1997 was incredible. I do not know if it changed the direction of the sport but that win certainly accelerated the direction of the sport. It was a huge, huge moment.
There are so many amazing moments. Tiger’s chip on the 16th hole in 2005 was one of the greatest shots ever.
I’ll give myself one – I think I have the greatest winner’s photo. The one with my arms raised in the rain with the silhouette from behind.
Q: It's been a decade since you reached the pinnacle of the Official World Golf Ranking. What have been the highlights of your career since then?
AS: I have won a few other good tournaments since then. I think 2016 was probably the year in which I played my best golf.
Although I did not win a major championship that year, I consistently played the highest level of golf in my career.
Winning the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles in 2020 was a memorable one for me. It’s my favorite course on Tour that we play, and Tiger Woods presented the trophy to me. I spent most of my career trying to compete with Tiger and I say “trying” because it was never easy to actually beat him. Now looking back on things, I feel like a moment like that where a legend of the sport who is associated with the tournament and ends up presenting you with the trophy is one of those nice, special moments. That is certainly a highlight.
Q: What are your main goals and ambitions at this point in your career?
Adam Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters in 2013. (Photo by Thomas Laisné/ Courtesy Rolex)
AS: To win tournaments and really, with a focus on the major championships. This is why I still push myself today. I’ve been lucky to win lots of tournaments in my career, but I’ve dreamt about being a multiple Major winner and that dream is very much alive so I’m going to push hard for it this year.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
AS: I don’t know if I could narrow it down to one thing. For me, finding a way to have self-belief was so important – whether that’s through positive self-talk or surrounding yourself with the kind of positivity you need or the confirmation of being a great player to keep that positive vibe going. When I found how to keep self-belief, it wasn’t necessarily from one piece of advice, but it came to me through a series of events and I think that’s when I was able to get the best out of myself.
Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your golf career?
AS: I think that there have been a few people who have had great influence on me but the one who has been there the entire time has been my dad, Phil.
Q: You get to play on some of the best courses in the world. What is your favourite course and why?
AS: This has always been my answer for years now, but it is Cypress Point in California. Scenically, it is beautiful, and the course is a pleasure to play. It is fairly understated for such a great golf course, and I really enjoy that environment to play in socially.
