No one is more surprised by Rory McIlroy’s barren season than Australian Open favourite Adam Scott.
Scott is wary of being ambushed by the fallen world No.1 when he begins his quest on Thursday to complete a summer slam by adding the Australian Open title to his Australian Masters and Australian PGA victories.
“He (McIlroy) had such a great year last year, I would have thought he would have won this year,” Scott said of the 2011 US Open champion and 2012 US PGA Championship winner.
“But the game turns around so quick and you’re hot and you’re cold, and he’ll be hot again in no time, that’s for sure.
“It’s surprising, but the year’s not over for Rory. He could get two wins before his year’s over.”
McIlroy attributes his 2013 struggles to “a couple of swing flaws”, but is confident top-six showings in his past two events this month in Shanghai and Dubai are proof he’s ironed out the chinks.
“It’s been just over a year since I won in Dubai at the end of last season so, yeah, it’s been too long to go without a win,” he said.
“I’ll definitely appreciate the next win whenever it comes along.
“But I guess after a few things that I went through this year it might just be that little bit sweeter to win here.
“It would be a perfect place to do it. It’s a very prestigious tournament; a lot of great names on that trophy.”
The Northern Irishman, still only 24, said upstaging Scott and Scott’s World Cup-winning teammate Jason Day, to win the Australian Open would give him added momentum heading into 2014.
“Adam’s won enough this year,” McIlroy said.
“I’d love to be in the mix on Sunday and at least give myself a chance to take it away from him I guess.
“He’s playing very well. He won the PGA and the Aussie Masters down here and played very well last week at the World Cup so he’s a man in form.
“Obviously Jason Day as well, coming off a great win last week, Kevin Streelman’s down here.
“There are also a lot of guys that know this place very well. It’s going to be tough.”