Adam Scott ready to throw down the gauntlet to McIlroy

World number one Rory McIlroy is back to defend his Australian Open title in the city where he kickstarted the most recent phase of his career last year but admitted that the next US Masters is never far from his mind.

The reigning British Open and US PGA champion could win a third straight Major if he secures the green jacket at Augusta in April and said he was thinking about it “every day”.

“It’s the next big career goal of mine, it would complete the career grand slam,” said McIlroy. “It’s going to be a great position to be in a few months’ time driving down Magnolia Lane, having a chance to win my third Major in a row, the chance to complete the career grand slam at 25, so I’m going to enjoy it.

“I know there’s going to be a lot of hype but I think you just have to embrace that and I’m just going to go and enjoy the week as best I can and make sure that I’m prepared for that week next year.”

The grasp

The first order of business for McIlroy at the Australian Golf Club this week, however, is retaining a title he snatched from the grasp of Australian

Adam Scott

on the final hole last year for his only win of 2013.

Scott is back again this year as well and while the tournament has been billed as a duel between the pair, McIlroy thinks the likes of American Jordan Spieth and a host of strong local contenders could make a mockery of that publicity.

“It’s definitely not a two-horse race,” he said. “There’s another 120, 130, 140 players in the field and they’ll all feel like they have a good chance to do well this week.”

McIlroy said the victory at Royal Sydney was the springboard for a stellar 2014, even if he had surprised himself by getting back to the top of the world rankings by August.

With the likes of Scott in the pack chasing him, though, he had no intention of standing still going into 2015 and that date with destiny at Augusta.

Scott, meanwhile, still feels the hurt of losing the title to McIlroy on the final green last year but believes the world number one has also inspired him to become a better golfer.

Scott was set to win a rare “triple crown” of Australian titles when he went into the final round at Royal Sydney last year but bogeyed the final hole to allow McIlroy snatch victory with a birdie.

“I certainly have a thorn in my side after not winning last year. I did everything but win, I felt like when it came down to it.

“Even late in the piece I had my chances to kind of close the door, but I left it open and you can’t do that with the best players in the world. They’ll walk right through and Rory did.”

Work harder

Since then, while Scott has had just the one victory at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

“I think I’ve found that we’ve somewhat pushed each other along over the last couple of years, Rory has taken his game up a notch and that’s inspired me to work harder,” he added.

“If my competition’s really motivated and that good. . I certainly welcome the challenge because these are the best years of my career and I’m going to have to get the best out of myself to beat a guy like that.”