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Two decades without a win: Scott long overdue to raise President’s Cup

Ten winless campaigns haven’t sapped Adam Scott’s indomitable spirit as The Internationals’ in-form elder statesman chases an elusive Presidents Cup triumph in Canada.

Sep 25, 2024, updated Sep 25, 2024
Adam Scott of Australia hits off the sixth tee during their opening round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Adam Scott of Australia hits off the sixth tee during their opening round of the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Thursday, July 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

 

Scott is lining up for a record 11th Presidents Cup tilt, having spent almost half his life and all of his professional career chasing a win over perennial powerhouse the United States.

The 44-year-old’s closest shave came on debut in 2003 when the Internationals drew with Team USA in South Africa.

Scott hasn’t stopping fighting since, and won’t rest until he breaks through and helps end The Internationals’ trophy drought that stretches back to 1998 at Royal Melbourne.

“Qualifying for 11 straight Presidents Cups is certainly a highlight in the career,” said Scott, who earned automatic entry by finishing third in the season-long points standings, thanks largely to runner-up finishes at the Scottish Open and BMW Championship.

“I’m really determined to keep making this team while I’m out playing on the PGA Tour being competitive and making sure the International Team get another victory.”

Scott will carry a record of 18 wins, six ties and 25 losses into the 2024 battle at Royal Montreal Golf Club starting on Thursday.

“What I bring is experience and enthusiasm,” Scott said.

“It’s different for everyone. It’s an environment that we don’t normally play in. It only comes around every couple of years and really all the players understand how hard they worked to qualify onto the team.

“They try and make the most of it and embrace it and great things can happen out of these matches.

“I see these events being springboards for guys to go on in their individual careers to great things.”

Scott is imploring his teammates, including fellow Australians Jason Day and debutant Min Woo Lee – one of Mike Weir’s six captain’s picks – to seize the moment in the Cup cauldron.

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“The pressure is different,” Scott said.

“Normally you have to kind of play your way into contention to feel the pressure, but it’s just immediate pressure in the Presidents Cup matches and I think it does great things for people and, if you embrace it, you can get a lot out of it.”

Home advantage definitely helps in the biennial contest, .

The Internationals took a 10-8 lead into the final-day singles when last on home soil for the 2019 edition at Royal Melbourne.

And four years before that it was a very close – 15.5 to 14.5 – contest in South Korea.

“We’re definitely getting closer,” said former world No.1 Scott.

“And I think that feeling is real. If we can get our guys to just find that little bit extra, especially on Sunday when it’s all on the line, if everyone’s prepared to make that winning putt, it can happen for the International Team.

“I know it’s been a long journey and I’ve kind of had to walk away and not be a sore loser for a long time.

“I feel like I’ve put a lot into the matches over the years. Being on a winning side would be incredibly rewarding.

“I certainly would love that memory in my career.”

Joining the Australian trio in the International team are Japanese superstar Hideki Matsuyama, South Koreans Sungjae Im, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim and Byeong Hun An, South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Canadian home hopes Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith.

New captain Jim Furyk will lead a powerful Team USA spearheadeded by world No.1 and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and world No.2 Xander Schauffele, a two-time major winner in 2024.

Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Sahith Theegala, Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns, Tony Finau, Brian Harman, Russell Henley and Max Homa are the other American players.

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