April 09, 2008
A DOSED-UP Adam Scott checked in for the Masters at Augusta National yesterday feeling better but admitting he probably wouldn't be playing this week if it wasn't a major championship.
Richard Green (2nd R) leads Tiger Woods (3rd R) over the Nelson Bridge as they walk to the 13th fairway during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament. Picture: Reuters
Scott opted not to practise, preferring to rest at his nearby rented house as he continues to recover from the illness that forced his withdrawal midway through his defence of the Houston Open last Friday.
Scott said he felt "good" but was acting on orders to ensure he has overcome the effects of a fever, swollen glands, a throat infection and ulcers on his tonsils in time for the opening round of the Masters tomorrow.
"The doctor's told me to take today off and just rest so that's what I'm going to do," Scott said.
"It's pretty frustrating and as soon as I can lose the ulcers in my throat I will be OK.
"I'm on three different antibiotics at present and I'm just glad that it didn't come this week, though if this wasn't the Masters or a major championship the smart thing to do would be to take the week off.
"I should be fine by tomorrow. I have my strength back and it's just a matter of resting and not wearing myself by playing today.
"I'll take it easy Tuesday and Wednesday and come Thursday I'll be strong enough to get four rounds out of me.
"I feel good but it doesn't mean you have to rush back into it and I'm probably still at that fragile point that to be out in this cool weather today is not a good thing for me."
Scott could hardly utter a word last Saturday when in Houston and while his speech is now unhindered, he said he was still having difficulty in swallowing his food.
"It's sore to eat but I need to eat to keep up my strength," he said.
"Though there was a time there last week I thought I may have a bout of glandular fever again. I've had that before and it's not nice.
"The doctor in Houston was great and he was happy with the way the antibiotics were helping so I have to thank him for all his efforts."
Despite Scott's Augusta preparations being put on hold he was handed a good omen as he looks to become the first Australian to win a Masters green jacket.
"I've got registration badge 61 and that's great because I've had a 61 already this year in winning the Qatar Masters," he said.
"It would be nice to add another of those this week because for too many years I've arrived to register and been given a badge in the 80s."
While Scott rested, some of his compatriots got down to practice on an Augusta National layout currently playing soft and long thanks to recent heavy rainfall.
Richard Green, the Victorian left-hander who qualified for the championship for the first time thanks to his tie for fourth at last year's British Open, had a good look at the course through the eyes of two former champions.
Green played his Monday practice round with 1998 winner Mark O'Meara and this year's overwhelming favourite Tiger Woods.
Woods is even money to win his fifth Masters title this week and Australia's top-ranked contender, Geoff Ogilvy, reckoned the odds were "probably not far off with the form he's showed".
Ogilvy has risen to a career-high fifth in the world rankings and, other than Woods, he is probably the hottest player in the field, coming off a magnificent victory at the World Golf Championships event in Florida late last month, followed by his tie for second in Houston last Sunday.
Ogilvy has competed only twice in the Masters, but has shown a liking for the course.
In his 2006 debut he crept into contention during the final round, until he three-putted the 13th hole and faded to equal 16th.
And last year he was very much in the thick of it until he dunked two balls in the water at the 15th hole during the third round. He finished tied-24th.
Augusta is a course where local knowledge is of the utmost importance, and Ogilvy puts something new into his memory bank every time he plays.
It's knowing how to avoid horror holes that really matters, and Ogilvy saw an old Master at work in that regard last year when he played two rounds with 1992 champion Fred Couples.
"Fred was on automatic pilot," Ogilvy said. "He might not play great but he never hits bad shots into bad places.
"Watching him play, he's brilliant around here.
"It's quite an easy course if you're missing it in the right spot all day. There are birdies everywhere and you can get up-and-down from the correct side of the green every time but from the wrong side it's absolutely hopeless."
AAP