Adam Scott’s late collapse at last year’s British Open is the fuel that could make him the first Australian to win a Masters green jacket, says Ian Baker-Finch.

While Baker-Finch agrees with the bookmakers that restored world No.1 Tiger Woods is the man to beat next week as he chases a fifth green jacket, he believes Scott can push him all the way and perhaps make Australian sporting history at Augusta National.

Fellow television golf analyst Nick Faldo claimed Scott would be mentally scarred after he led the British Open at Royal Lytham by four shots with four to play only to bogey each hole coming home and lose to Ernie Els by a shot.

But 1991 British Open champion Baker-Finch is adamant that setback will provide huge motivation rather than baggage.

“While I think Tiger Woods is certainly the man to beat this year given his hot form, I’ve always felt Scotty could be the guy to win at Augusta,” said Baker-Finch.

“He could easily do a Wayne Grady. It was a huge disappointment for Wayne when he lost as the forgotten man in the British Open playoff at Troon in 1989 (with Greg Norman and eventual champion Mark Calcavecchia).

“But the next year he won the PGA Championship. He turned the loss into a ‘toughen up son’ moment, realised he had the game to win a major and went about doing it the following year and I think Scotty is a big chance to do the same.

“The Open result will totally drive him, not be a detriment.

“His play there will solidify in his mind that he can do it and I think Augusta National suits him better than most other courses.”

The inability to win at Augusta National remains the most frustrating and puzzling gap in Australia’s sporting resume after years of near-misses and heartbreak.

And, with just four players in the field this year, the numerical odds are against a breakthrough.

Scott, Jason Day, John Senden and Marc Leishman make up the smallest Australian contingent since 2002 when Greg Norman, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby and Scott were amongst the participants.

Over the last 10 Masters there has been on average seven Australians in the field, with eight in 2005 and 2008 being the country’s best years.

World No.7 Scott remains the best hope with six top-15 finishes in the past eight majors, including two runner-ups.

He tied second at Augusta in 2011 and tied eighth last year, giving him plenty of confidence.

Day, Senden and Leishman aren’t on most pundits’ watch lists, although all are capable at their best, particularly Day, who tied second with Scott in 2011 before being forced to withdraw injured in 2012.

Baker-Finch is hopeful that trio can contend but says it’s a tough challenge to arrive at Augusta National without strong lead-up form.

“I’ve always said its hard to find your ‘A’ game at a major. You really have to take it there with you,” he said.

“Jason Day has the game to win at Augusta. He’s proven that two years ago and he loves the place.

“But whether he’s in ‘A’ form I’m not so sure. I reckon he’s in sold ‘B’ form right now but I expect him to compete purely because he’ll get fired up.

“I’m not looking for him to win this year even though I believe he can win this tournament.”

For Senden, it is his fourth trip to Augusta where he is yet to make a cut and his form this year hardly engenders confidence.

“Sendo has the long game that suits Augusta and not many guys hit it better than him but I’m not sure he has the belief that he can win there,” Baker-Finch said.

“The way he strikes the ball, he should have more self belief and I think it’s a shame if he doesn’t go in there thinking ‘I can really win around here.'”

Leishman, the lowest-ranked Australian entry at 104th in the world, is in the field courtesy of his maiden US PGA Tour win last year. But he missed the cut in his lone previous appearance in 2010.

After a top 10 in January, the Victorian’s form has dissipated with his best result over the past six starts a tie for 38th with three missed cuts.

“I don’t think he’s in good enough form to really contemplate winning,” Baker-Finch admitted.

“Although he’s proven he can win so you’re always a shot. I think getting off to a good start is important for him and he should be looking at the top 16, so he can get some experience and get an invite back next year, as a realistic goal.”

The bookmakers’ favourite is 14-times major champion Woods, who has already won three times in the US this season, catapulting him back to the summit of the world rankings.

But the 37-year-old hasn’t won at Augusta since 2005 or won a major since 2008 so a question mark remains.

Fellow Americans Phil Mickelson, Brandt Snedeker and defending champion Bubba Watson should also be in the mix along with South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, plus England’s Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald.

World No.2 Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is also expected to contend despite scratchy form leading into the event.