Despite his late collapse, Adam Scott says his Open Championship week was great for his career and the last piece of the puzzle in his quest to be a major champion.
Scott blew the best chance of his career to win his first major, throwing away a four-shot lead with four holes to play with four consecutive bogeys to hand Ernie Els his fourth major at Royal Lytham and St Annes last month.
But returning to competitive golf to defend his World Golf Championships crown in Ohio this week, the Queenslander was extremely upbeat.
“It was a great thing for my career, really, for me to know I can play that well in a major,” Scott said.
“I’ve played so many and I’ve never played as good. I’ve changed my schedule a lot to try and make myself a contender in majors, and for 10 years I wasn’t. That’s pretty clear.
“But the last two years I think my results have improved dramatically and that’s really the reason I’m playing, is to win some majors.
“That’s what we’re identified by at the end of our careers. How successful you were is how many majors you won.”
In the past seven majors, Scott has two runner-up finishes, four top 10s and six top 25s.
The 32-year-old admitted the latest loss hurt but claims anger and frustration never really entered his psyche.
He returned to his base in Switzerland, spent some time up in the Alps and focussed on the positives of dominating a major for 68 holes.
“I really just felt a bit shocked and almost numb,” he said of the days after.
“But I certainly didn’t beat myself up and have to curl up in a corner.
“It’s disappointing, absolutely, and if I felt like that was my last chance I’d probably never play golf again. I’d be devastated, but all my chances are in front of me.
“For me, that might have been the proof that I need.
“Everyone has always said I’m a guy with potential to win majors or be a great player, but until you’ve got physical proof that you can do it, maybe you don’t 100 per cent believe it.
“And I think the way I look at it was that was the proof that I’m good enough to win major championships.
“Although I didn’t finish like a champion last week, I have in the past at other tournaments, so I know I’ve got that in me.
“It’s just putting the pieces of the puzzle together, and I think that might have been the last piece for me.”
With the USPGA Championship just a week away, the no cut, big money, WGC event this week serves as the perfect lead-in for Scott, particularly given the positive vibes from his 2011 victory.
“It’s always exciting to return as the defending champion and there’s always a little extra motivation to try and hold on to your trophy,” he said.
“It would be nice to play well this week, get in the mix and hopefully build some more confidence.
“The disappointment of Lytham shouldn’t hold me back from taking advantage of the way I’m playing at the moment.”