The last golfer to contend for the Triple Crown candidly admits Adam Scott is far better equipped to cope with the pressure of completing the rare hat-trick at this week’s Australian Open at Royal Sydney.
“It’s a lot more difficult when you’re Greg Chalmers than when you’re Adam Scott,” Chalmers said on Monday.
“Because he’s used to a lot of the stuff that’s going to go on, and in actual fact, he can probably control it a lot more.
“He’s used to that attention and being in that fishbowl.
“I think if you beat Adam Scott this week, there’s a big chance you’ll be right near the top of the leaderboard.”
Robert Allenby in 2005 remains the only player to win the Australian PGA, Australian Masters and Australian Open in the same season, with Chalmers falling at the final hurdle two years ago.
After capturing the Open and PGA titles, Chalmers was fourth during the final round of the Masters only to stumble late and close with a Sunday 76 to finish a distant 11 shots behind English winner Ian Poulter.
“It’s hard to win,” Chalmers said.
“So when your expectations are raised … I wouldn’t say it was difficult, but when people are focused on what you’re doing to that extent, it was new to me.
“It was difficult from that sense. I hadn’t experienced that kind of, what I’d call a fishbowl experience before.
“But Adam lives in that world. For him, it’s just normal. The expectations for him every week are to win, particularly when it comes to Australia.
“I wouldn’t think he’d feel that much pressure at all.
“It’d be pretty cool if he pulls it off. But it’d be even better if I won.”
If Chalmers does win, the West Australian would join all-time greats Gary Player, a seven times champion, Jack Nicklaus (6), Greg Norman (5), Ivo Whitton (5) Ossie Pickworth (4), Peter Thomson (3), Norman Von Nida (3) and Carnegie Clark (3) to have their names etched onto the Stonehaven Cup at least three times.
“That’s why I flew back,” Chalmers said.
“I’m one of probably a hundred guys thinking the same thing.
“I’m looking forward to the week. My game’s in good shape.
“If you beat Adam/Jason (Day), you’re going to be very close.”
In addition to his 2011 triumph at The Lakes, Chalmers won the Open in 1998 at Royal Adelaide.
