The Presidents Cup may not be a big deal to fans in the USA as they haven't had much competition from the International Team with a 11-1-1 record, but this year in Melbourne was different with Ernie Els team pushing the US to the brink before losing 16-14.
Els won universal praise for his leadership, and on Sunday evening after a thrilling finale and many beers he told his team he wouldn't be back as captain, but insisted that all of the team would have to push their personal games to new heights if they were ever going to win. That hit home to the 3 Aussies, Adam Scott, Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman.
In January, Smith won the Sony Open, weeks later Leishman won the Farmers Insurance. Adam Scott was watching at home.
Inspired he showed up finally this week at the Genesis Open, not having played in over a month, hungry and motivated.
Looking lean and fit at 39, he turned in rounds of 72, 64,67 and 70 -11 good enough for a 2 shot win, his first since 2016 on the PGA Tour and he paid tribute to his experience in Melbourne and his renewed expectations.
" I've seen it before with some guys off the back of incredible Presidents Cup experience where there is pressure and guys really elevate their games then put that into practice when they get back on tour."
While others around him faltered on a tough unyielding Riviera he made crucial shots when he had to, including a 10 footer on the 17th to give him a 2 shot cushion, for his 14th win tying fellow Aussie, Bruce Crampton and trailing Greg Norman with 20.
Matt Kuchar T2 -9, Rory (73) T5 -8, Dustin Johnson (72) T10 -7, while Adam Hadwin (70) T26 -3.
Tiger had a 76 77 weekend to finish dead last at +11.
Bryan Angus
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