‘Gut feel’: Scott’s new Masters plans

Adam Scott is confident practice rounds at Augusta next week will provide ample Masters preparation after revealing he skipped his regular pre-tournament visit as part of a rejigged scheduled that includes playing the week before the year’s first major.

The 2013 Masters champ is teeing it up in Houston this week before heading to Georgia, where he normally makes a trip as part of an annual reconnaissance mission that includes rounds with his father.

Making changes to his pre-tournament routine have been in part forced by changes to the PGA Tour schedule but also for Scott to find the competitive form he wants to take to Augusta, where he has played every Masters since 2002.

As a Masters winner, Scott also has access to the course outside of the tournament and has made multiple visits over the years as the course has evolved, with more changes in store for this year’s event, which begins next Thursday.

But the 43-year-old has put winning the Valero Texas Open on his radar, confident his Augusta knowledge will kick in when he gets there next week.

“I don’t have tons of time just to float up there and I thought it wasn’t the big priority for me leading into this Masters,” Scott said in Houston.

“I’ve played there a lot. I know they changed the second and I know they’ve relaid a couple greens, but I think I can go in there at this point feeling pretty comfortable and should be confident that I know the golf course well enough on a couple practice rounds Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Scott hasn’t won anywhere since 2020 but has two top-10s from five events so far in 2024 and is more willing to make the adjustments to get the best out of his game

“I think when I adjusted in the past it was a little bit difficult. I think I’m pretty open to just doing whatever I feel is best now,” he said.

“Juggling lots of different factors at this point in my career, I end up just relying on like a gut instinct of what feels right and what’s not, and it’s even less about does this course suit me and is this the right week to play if I feel like I need to play. I thought this week was a great week for me to play.

“You’ve got to pick your moments. Having the structure of a tournament this week leading into the Masters I think was good, especially coming off some pretty average results the last couple of tournaments, so looking for better here this week.”

Scott has also won twice in Houston and is keen to get that winning vibe back before tackling the world’s best players at the Masters.

“Things are always changing not only with the PGA Tour schedule but with where my game is at, with what’s going on around me and trying to balance everything and make the best decisions,” he said.

“I equally like playing in Houston. I’ve won in Houston as well and I’ve won here, but you just can’t play every week, so you’ve got to just make kind of gut decisions on really what you need.

“I’m happy that this time it’s worked out that I’m back here at Valero.”