Scott plots for major success

Scottish PGA championship Australian Adam Scott says he will play in Europe and America next year as he bids to become a major force in the game.

The 22-year-old, preparing to defend his Diageo Scottish PGA title at Gleneagles, is 10th on Europe's money list despite having a quiet time this season.

Now he feels that playing more in the US will move his game up another level.

"I'm going to take up my tour card in America and use both cards next year," said the winner of three European titles.

"I think it's going to be best for my game. Hopefully I can achieve the goals I've set myself, take my game to a new level and give myself more chances in majors."

Scott, however, feels that playing only in America would harm his game.

"I'm going to give the combination of the two tours a shot because I feel just playing in America doesn't give you enough variety," he said.

"You wouldn't want to be stuck on Sunday in the (British) Open with a 40 m.p.h. wind blowing if you hadn't had any experience in Europe. Playing in Europe has definitely helped my game."

Scott, who feels his best chance of a major may come at Augusta, says he is approaching his best form, despite missing the weekend at Olympia Fields where he was laid low by a virus.

"I haven't played to my standard of golf this year," he said, "and last week was the first time I'd hit the ball the way I like to, flighting it both right and left."

The Australian's decision to carry on with his European experience may stand him in good stead at the PGA Centenary course this week where winds did reach 40 m.p.h. in yesterday's pro-am.

His 26 under par aggregate in this event last year and a 10-shot winning margin were both records for the season.

This year, his main rivals are Colin Montgomerie, who made his first cut in three events at the US Open last week, Europe's current number four Paul Casey of England, and Spaniard Ignacio Garrido, the Volvo PGA champion.

Colin Montgomerie plays his last tournament as a 30-something this week.

Montgomerie is 40 next Monday and can think of no better way to usher it in than with his first victory of the season in the Diageo Championship at Gleneagles on Sunday.

Montgomerie admitted to feeling tired in yesterday's wet and windy pro-am.

"That was hard work and I don't think you'll see 26 under winning again, but I hear that's the worst of the weather," he said.

As for his unhappy season so far the seven-time European number one commented: "I'm just not as confident as I used to be, but I feel the turnaround is coming and it's about time I started winning tournaments again.

"I probably wouldn't be playing if this week's tournament wasn't in Scotland. I get very much up for playing here and I'm coming to win, just like I'll be going to the Open next month to win.

"I'm very, very fortunate. If I was a footballer I'd be finished by now, but I'm in this for the next five or six years to compete at this level."

That is good news for his new caddie Steve Rawlinson, who last month decided to leave Australian Stephen Leaney.

On Sunday, Leaney finished runner-up to Jim Furyk in the US Open.

Sam Torrance is a doubtful starter at Gleneagles after playing only 15 holes yesterday.

Torrance is suffering from a knee problem and on Sunday made it only through six holes playing with his son Daniel.

"I had an operation about a year ago and I haven't done the physio properly," said the former Ryder Cup captain, who rates his chances of teeing off in the £1.2 million event "better than 50-50".

"It stiffens up when I am sitting down and as it is my left knee it's the worst thing for golf.

"My physio told me I was a lazy git and that I'd pay for it. I thought walking and playing golf would be enough, but she was right."