When Adam Scott finally cleared his major championship hurdle at Augusta in April, he thought majors might seem a little less intense.
He was wrong.
Australia’s top-ranked player lines up in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club this week trying to double his major tally and admits, since winning the Masters, things haven’t become any easier.
“I don’t feel much different,” said Scott.
“I was nervous at the US Open and the Open Championship and I think I’ll be nervous on the first tee here at the PGA.
“I haven’t won it so it’s something I want to win and that brings nerves.
“I’m not thinking I’ve won one so it doesn’t matter. Of course it matters.
“The nerves are there. It’s all about controlling it.”
Scott is well aware of the cliche about winning one major being the easy part, while winning more than one is what separates the best players from the rest.
The world No.5 has finished inside the top 15 at six of the past seven majors, winning the 2013 Masters, finishing second at the 2012 British Open Championship and third at last month’s British Open.
In those seven majors, he is one-over par collectively – by far the best performer of those who have made all cuts, with the next best world No.1 Tiger Woods at 17-over.
He was right in the thick of final day action yet again at the British Open, hitting the lead on the back nine only to succumb with four straight bogeys – as he did a year earlier – while Phil Mickelson’s whirlwind finish secured the title.
However, Scott can draw on the many things he does right to put himself in position to contend.
“For some people, the second (major) is always the hardest,” Scott said.
“We’ll see about that, but I’m right where I want to be.
“I’m trying to put myself in there every time and I’d love to give it a shake here.”
Scott hasn’t been back at Oak Hill since the 2003 US PGA Championship where he contended early before fading into a tie for 23rd.
Before that, he played the course during the 1998 US Amateur Championship.
“It’s a classic Donald Ross golf course,” said Scott.
“I know what to expect, I’ve played a few rounds and I know the PGA of America set up things pretty fair.
“It is going to be tough but not silly.
“I’ll be ready.”
