Adam Scott missed the cut in Japan last week, his first free weekend in more than a year for one of the most consistent players in the world. Which makes his appearance at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia this week a great chance to tune up for his trip to the Emirates Australian Open at Royal Sydney next month.
Scott took a break after the US PGA Tour playoffs, where he ended up fourth in the Fedex Cup points race behind Rory McIlroy, and the rustiness showed at the Japan Open, where he shot 76-74.
The Australian has done a fine job in recent years of regenerating his energy in time to perform when he makes his usual pilgrimage back to the big tournaments in his home country.
He was won the Open (at New South Wales in 2009), the PGA and the Australian Masters as well as the World Cup teams event with Jason Day in 2013.
At the Open, he not only won at La Perouse seven years ago but has been close several times as well, notably at Royal Sydney in 2013 when he led throughout the tournament only to be beaten by McIlroy's birdie at the 72nd hole to finish second. He was also tied-second last year when he put together a magnificent final round of 65 at The Australian, finishing just a shot behind Matt Jones, and fifth in 2014.
Scott, the world No. 6, heads the Open field at Royal Sydney from November 17 along with American Jordan Spieth, the 2014 champion.
There are a host of Australians in the field in Malaysia this week with Scott joined by Aaron Baddeley, Marcus Fraser, Scott Hend, Marc Leishman and John Senden in the $US 7 million event at TPC Kuala Lumpur.
The tournament starts Thursday (Australian eastern time) and television coverage is from Fox Sports.