Adam Scott has slowly been building towards the Masters at Augusta National and after two previous top 10 results at the tournament, the Australian star is ready to step up and defeat the big names, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy, who all expect to contend as the tournament starts on Thursday.
Scott had a chance to get a green jacket previously, but after falling apart at the end he is expecting to do much better for the 2013 tournament. Scott has won eight times on the tour and he came in second at the Masters in 2011 before finishing in eighth last season. In 2010 he came in 18th and he is hoping to keep moving up the leaderboard as each year goes by, with this year being one that he feels he can win.
Scott had his best chance in 2011 when he was up one stroke with just two holes left to play, but eventually he fell behind and lost to South African Charl Schwartzel, who was able to get birdies on the final four holes to pull ahead and win in a surprise.
"In 2011, it was just good to learn that my game took me to a place where I could contend," said Scott. "There was not much else for me to do other than birdie the last four holes, also, like Charl did," he smiled.
This year Scott has a chance to be even better and he knows what it's like to come close, as he had a four shot lead in the British Open last year with four holes left to go before South African veteran Ernie Els came and took it from him. Scott has seen his share of tough rounds and his play in majors has only made him stronger heading into Augusta this season.
The Par 3 contest is on Wednesday before Scott and the others tee off on Thursday.