Adam Scott talks Presidents Cup, Green Jacket, getting top players back

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Adam Scott talks Presidents Cup, Green Jacket, getting top players back


Adam Scott and the Presidents Cup is a story of unrequited love.

Scott, 44, loves the event but it hasn’t exactly loved him back. He has been playing in the biennial competition since 2003 and the Aussie star — past Masters champion, former world No. 1 and perennial winner for more than 20 years on the PGA Tour and around the world — has made or been chosen for every International Team since and still hasn’t tasted team victory.

It’s a dubious distinction but one he’s eager to have another chance to rectify this week at Royal Montreal Golf Club, site of the 2024 Presidents Cup. Scott not only will provide veteran leadership but he’s coming in with good form, having nearly won twice this summer. He finished runner-up at the Genesis Scottish Open in July and the BMW Championship in August to qualify for Mike Weir’s side as one of six automatic picks in the standings.

Scott also is a player director on the PGA Tour’s board of directors and discussed Tour business, his beautiful swing and what it was like having a Green Jacket in his closet for a year. Here’s Scott in a wide-ranging interview conducted just days before the Presidents Cup gets underway.

2003 Presidents Cup

Adam Scott of Australia tees off the ninth hole during the 2003 Presidents Cup. (Alexander Joe/AFP via Getty Images)

AS: Playing with Ernie Els, who was in the prime of his career, in South Africa, was incredible. He’s an absolute legend and he took me under his wing that week and I learned so much so quickly from him that served me well in my own career. It has given me a great relationship with him for over 20 years and I really cherish that week when I think back to that beginning there. 

Then the competition itself was unreal. What an atmosphere Tiger, obviously, in the middle of his prime there, coming down to a playoff. I remember walking with Mike Weir, I was hanging with Mike through the playoff, and we were sitting above the second green where it all kind of ended, and Mike’s like, ‘I’m so nervous right now. I’m way more nervous than when I won the Masters.’ He wasn’t even playing.

I remember running down to the green and urging Ernie just to walk to the next tee because everyone was like, starting to convene on the green to meet about what should we do? And I’m like, ‘Get up there and play the next hole and win this thing.’ You know, I had full belief that he could. I’m sure he was probably somewhat relieved it was going to end there and he didn’t have to play more, but it was a quite a scene, I guess, at the time from (captains) Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to share the Cup. However, in the heat of it all, I was pretty keen to see someone win and someone lose.

2022 Presidents Cup2022 Presidents Cup

Adam Scott of Australia at the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

AS: I’m not going to complain about the current format because I’m on the losing side all the time. It would look like we’re sore losers. We’ve had these discussions, not you and me, but like amongst players and the PGA Tour of changing the format. And we did change it in 2015. This was the format that we settled on. Part of me feels like I don’t know why it’s not the same as the Ryder Cup (28 possible points) when that’s seemingly so successful. But you know they wanted a point of difference, and they’ve got two points of difference, actually.

2022 Presidents Cup2022 Presidents Cup

Adam Scott and Cam Davis of Australia and the International Team at the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

AS: I don’t mind the idea of a mixed event but I don’t know that the Presidents Cup should be that. Despite the lack of competitiveness, I still think the event stands well on its own. I don’t think it’s uninteresting. The Ryder Cup was dominated by the United States for a long time also.

The International Team is trending in the right direction over the last couple of years. It hasn’t given us the win that we want, but I think as soon as it does it will change the perception of the tournament.

From behind the scenes, where I sit, a lot’s gone in from the International side, starting when Ernie (Els) took over as a captain, and Trevor (Immelman) and now Mike (Weir), building a team’s identity, giving it a home out on the tour for these guys. And we have guys like Tom Kim or Min Woo Lee who have grown up essentially their whole golfing life — it’s been their ambition to play under the International shield — and it’s a dream for internationals more than ever. So if we can get across the line and win, I think it’s going to change the whole perception of the event.

2009 Presidents Cup2009 Presidents Cup

International team members Ernie Els of South Africa, Ryo Ishikawa of Japan, Tim Clark of South Africa, Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Adam Scott of Australia at the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

AS: It was a huge pick for me because I’d had a horrible year. Was my worst year ever. That pick was big because it came at the end of the season, got me motivated to work on my game and work myself out of the funk I was in, gave my confidence a little boost that Greg Norman and his assistants believed in me enough to put me on the team. I think I won my first match, but didn’t win a match after that, and we got a little bit trounced at Harding Park from memory, but off the back of that really turned the rest of my season around, and I ended up winning the Australian Open at the end of year, set off what I would call for the second part of my career.

2019 Presidents Cup2019 Presidents Cup

Adam Scott of Australia and the International team shakes hands with Tiger Woods and the United States team at the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

AS: The 2019 one in Australia. That was a harsh one. The momentum was on our side all week, and really flipped upside down on Sunday. But personally, I didn’t play great against Xander (Schauffele). He got up on me early (in singles) and I started feeling the pressure a little bit, and he never let up. I got so far down that I couldn’t come back. I knew every match was getting important as I played throughout the round, and I felt like I’d let the side down. That one slipped through our fingers. It was months and months and months of trying to figure out how it slipped away because it felt like that was going to be our time. It would have been an epic victory to win there. It’s something that I’m still looking for in my career. 

2023 Australian PGA Championship2023 Australian PGA Championship

Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee at the 2023 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club. (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

AS: Won’t be much of a secret if I put it out there first! But I’ll go out and say that Min Woo Lee could be it, and Adam Scott could be it too. If I rate my own performance the last five Cups or so, I’d say I underperformed. And if I was being tough on Adam Scott, I’d say you better perform this time or don’t bother about trying to play another Presidents Cup.

2017 Presidents Cup 2017 Presidents Cup

Fans look on from the stands on the 18th hole for the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

AS: No, I haven’t but I did go to the Ryder Cup for a day last year. Out of interest. I was close by, so I went down and got to watch these guys play. It was obvious to me, like this home course advantage has become a real thing in the Ryder Cup. Now, from the fans side of things, that’s probably the big difference compared to my experiences in the Presidents Cup that I saw.

142nd Open Championship142nd Open Championship

Adam Scott of Australia and Luke Donald of England at the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 18, 2013. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

AS: I really don’t know. I sit here and think maybe I can still play in 2028, but I don’t think there’s any problem with doing more than one. I think you got to put the right name for the job. The tricky thing is it’s two years out all the time that you’re getting the job. So you know, a lot changes in that time. But I think Luke’s the right man for the job to do it a second time for Europe. He’s put everything on the line. I respect that a lot because he was great in Italy, and now he’s kind of coming into the cauldron of New York as the away captain. He’s putting it all on the line. So I have a lot respect that Luke is doing that.

2024 BMW Championship2024 BMW Championship

Adam Scott prepares for his second shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the 2024 BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

AS: I think a little of both. I changed my equipment a little bit leading into the Scottish Open, and that clicked, for sure. That was a big unlock for me. All of a sudden, it’s easy to swing the golf club. Making this team on merit was important for me. I really didn’t want to leave Mike (Weir) in a position to have to pick an old bloke. I wouldn’t blame him for not picking me if I didn’t make it on merit. But you know, I want to contribute. I played this year, not in the top 50 on the FedEx Cup, not exempt into the signatures. I did get some invites and tried to take advantage of them, but I didn’t want to be in that position again either and I was determined to put myself in a great spot for next season. The reality is I’m 45 next summer. I hope I keep playing at a high level for years to come, but each year is lucky at this point that I get to do that. So, I’ve set myself up for a great season next year, and I want to make the most of it.

2024 Genesis Scottish Open 2024 Genesis Scottish Open

Adam Scott of Australia reacts to a missed putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club. (Harry How/Getty Images)

AS: Not at the Scottish Open. I felt like I did well there, I felt good on the course. I had a tough putt on 18 to post a better number. It was like right down a ridge, and it was on line early, and that was hard to be super critical of that miss. I pride myself on locking in on those putts and knocking them in often but I didn’t sink that one. Still, it was pleasing to get back in contention there. 

I was disappointed in Colorado. I was surprised I struggled so much on the greens on the weekend; it was tricky conditions on Sunday afternoon, the wind was blowing, the altitude and the firmness of the golf course, so the couple times I didn’t control the ball the best I paid the price because I didn’t knock any putts in for par that you’d hope to make. That was very disappointing for me because I think I played well enough to win that week. I let that opportunity pass me.

2024 BMW Championship2024 BMW Championship

Adam Scott lines up a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2024 BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

AS: I mean, I’d just be throwing a year out there. Realistic 2027, optimistic ’26.

GWK: Who among the PGA Tour executives and tour players has impressed you to the point that you have a different opinion of them since you joined the PAC and the board. 

AS: Charley Hoffman, and that’s funny because I’ve known him the longest too. I spent last year on the PAC and listened to Charley. He’s the first one that comes to mind. Brian Harman, I’ve enjoyed listening to him give his perspective on things at the PAC level. And just generally, I would say the guys on the board have generally handled themselves well given some of the stuff that’s been thrown at them given some interesting times.

2024 Charles Schwab Challenge2024 Charles Schwab Challenge

Adam Scott plays his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the 2024 Charles Schwab Challenge. (Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports)

AS: It’s from improving the product in so many areas. Obviously they’re going to have to generate more revenue. It’s the same as any business now because we’re an enterprise business with profit and loss, and they’re going to try and generate more revenue, and probably going to try and reduce costs as well, you know. So I’m sure they’re looking at all of that as we speak.

PGA Tour signPGA Tour sign

The PGA Tour sign at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch)

AS: These things all had to be weighed up given the situation. Let’s say 12 months ago, for the sake of this, and where things were at and the threat that was out there with players being taken and weakening our Tour. The decision was made ultimately that if you want to say that is a favorable deal for this group of investors, that’s fine, but it’s also as favorable it is for them the idea was for it to strengthen the PGA Tour going into the future and give us the best chance to improve our product and go into the next TV contracts, which is our biggest revenue earner, in a good spot.

2024 PGA Championship2024 PGA Championship

Adam Scott tees off on the 12th hole during the first round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

AS: I see it being stronger than ever. I think whether a deal is done with PIF or not, I see it in a good spot. The market will decide what it wants ultimately. Tthe PGA Tour is still, for sure, the strongest platform, has the strongest players, and even with a competitive other tour out there, I still think that will be OK for pro golf. I think it’s just a time of change and most people don’t like that.

2023 Ryder Cup2023 Ryder Cup

The flag on the first green during the final day of the 44th Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. (Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports)

AS: I don’t know, if it improves the Ryder Cup, sure, but it’s not really something that I think about. I know there are rumors about things like that from a business side of things but it’s not something that I think is the No. 1 priority.

2024 PGA Championship2024 PGA Championship

Adam Scott takes a shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

AS: (Laughs) I’ve heard it a lot, which is nice. And you know, I wish it was producing the most beautiful shots all the time. It certainly doesn’t. 

GWK: Whose swing do you consider to be the most beautiful?

AS: Tom Watson. I just think it evolved the most naturally. It looked like he never changed it to me. And he was a great player. So that influences, of course, but it looks like it just evolved so beautifully. He always understood what his swing DNA was I guess. 

2020 Genesis Invitational2020 Genesis Invitational

Adam Scott of Australia poses with tournament host Tiger Woods and the trophy after winning the 2020 Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

AS: I haven’t. I mean, I’ve fiddled around with some stuff, but I really haven’t found any secret sauce, other than at this point now, I definitely just understand that my swing is my swing, and I own it, and I know my tendencies, and I do my best to balance them out, especially under the heat of competition or pressure, and, yeah, I feel like it’s evolved.

But you know, as good as my body still moves at this age, it’s so nice watching young kids swing the club. Their body is so fluid and it’s very hard to make that happen as you get older. 

2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland shares a light moment with Adam Scott of Australia during the first round of the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. (Ryan Lim/AFP via Getty Images)

AS: Cam Smith’s wedge and chipping, I think he’s the best currently. I could say Phil Mickelson but he’s lefty, so tricky. I would take Tiger’s iron play. It was the best for the bulk of his career. From, say, 2000-2020, his iron play never let him down, it was just so good. It never really let him down. Driving? Rory comes to mind. I’ve seen him drive the ball probably better than anyone ever. Putting… Tiger’s was pretty good. I got a couple of Tiger’s in there, but that’s fair enough.

2013 Masters2013 Masters

Adam Scott dons the green jacket after his 2013 Masters win. (USA TODAY Sports)

AS: Gosh, what a great year that is to travel around with the Green Jacket. First off, having it be the first green jacket to make it down to Australia, it’s like this mythical piece of clothing that no one ever sees and certainly not in Australia. I think that was really fun. The other fun thing was when I left it on the back of the sofa and someone would see the jacket just sitting there. I think the first couple of times it was just coincidence that happened, but then I made it happen a few more times just to see the reaction because it got better every time.



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