Gold Coast fairways will turn even greener next week when Masters champion Adam Scott enjoys a hero’s welcome home and begins a gruelling Australian tournament campaign.
Scott is returning to his home country for the first time since breaking Australia’s Masters hoodoo with his triumph at Augusta National in April.
He faces a hectic few weeks.
The world No.2 will be welcomed formally on Wednesday, the eve of the Australian PGA Championship, with a civic reception where he’ll be presented with the keys to his home city by mayor Tom Tate.
PGA officials have declared a “Wear Green for Adam Scott Day” next Friday, the second day of the PGA Championship at Royal Pines, to allow fans to join Scott in celebrating his Masters green jacket achievement.
“The whole of Australia was buzzing with excitement following Adam’s momentous victory,” said PGA of Australia chief executive Brian Thorburn.
“With the tournament being played in Adam’s hometown of the Gold Coast, we wanted to provide a welcome home befitting his achievement whilst also giving fans the chance to celebrate.”
The week after the PGA Championship, Scott will defend his Australian Masters crown at Royal Melbourne before joining Jason Day as Australia’s team at the World Cup of Golf on the same course the following week.
Scott will complete his whirlwind homecoming at the Australian Open in Sydney from November 28.
Two-time Australian PGA Championship winner Peter Lonard said it was to Scott’s great credit he had opted to head Down Under for such a prolonged campaign this summer, turning his back on more lucrative tournaments such as this week’s World Golf Championships event in Shanghai.
“It’s great that he’s come back. It’s fantastic that he’s chosen to support Australian golf,” Lonard told AAP.
“If you look at any of these guys they can probably earn a lot more money going elsewhere but obviously Adam is doing the right thing and he should be commended for it.”