There’s no place like home for Adam Scott.
The Masters champion says he’s loving every minute of being back on the Gold Coast ahead of this week’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines – a return he’s been itching to make since his triumph at Augusta National in April.
After displaying his green jacket at a corporate function on Tuesday night, it was down to business for Scott on Wednesday as he teed off in a pre-tournament pro-am.
Despite arriving home last week with a cold, Scott said he was happy and relaxed going into his busy Australian tournament schedule.
“I’ve basically wanted to get back here since April,” Scott told AAP.
“It’s always good to see familiar faces and places. I can’t wait to get the tournament underway.”
Scott’s said he didn’t fully appreciate the impact in Australia of his hoodoo-busting win at the Masters, where he became the first player from Down Under to don the green jacket.
“You’re so detached over there,” he said.
“It’s nice to talk to people and get an idea of just how much it meant to them back here.
“Even last night at the function people were coming up and congratulating me. It’s been very humbling.”
Scott’s group in the pro-am attracted a sizeable gallery.
Through it all Scott, relaxed and laidback, signed autographs, shared photos with locals and chatted to the amateurs spending the day on the course with the world No.3.
None was more excited than the three young golfers chosen to caddy for his group.
“Crazy,” said Surfers Paradise teenager Levi Powe.
“Once I heard which group we were in I was very surprised.”
Scott’s homecoming celebration will continue on Wednesday afternoon when he’s handed the keys to the city by Gold Coast’s mayor.
Then he’ll knuckle down to showing what made him such a hero when the opening round of the Australian PGA gets underway on Thursday.