Golf: Scott defends Houston title as Masters looms

HOUSTON: Australian Adam Scott defends his Houston Open US PGA title here this week as golfers get their last chance to tune up for The Masters in Augusta. Scott became the sixth Australian to win the Houston title Last season, notching a three-shot victory over fellow Aussie Stuart Appleby and American Bubba Watson. Scott surged to the victory on the weekend, firing a seven-under-par 65 in the third round and following it up with a 66 on Sunday.

He had entered the final round in a five-way tie for second, three strokes behind Watson. Scott has not won in three US tour starts this year, but he did pull off a come-from-behind victory at the Qatar Masters on the European Tour, where he fired a final-round 61 at the rain-drenched Doha Golf Club. Appleby will be aiming to deny Scott a second Houston title - and claim a third of his own. In seven career starts in the event, Appleby has won twice and twice finished runner-up. In his last three starts at the Houston Open, Appleby has finished first - in 2006, and tied for second twice - in 2005 and 2007. Since the tournament moved to its current home at the Tournament Course at Redstone, Appleby is 33-under with seven rounds in the 60s.

“I’ve played well here. The other course, back I think when Freddie (Couples) won, I was second there and second last year and won the year before so, yeah, I’ve played well here,” Appleby said. “People ask what is it that brings it here or Houston because I guess I’ve won it twice over the years. I’m not really sure. Just seems to be a coincidence, if anything, but I’ll be looking for some form that I had here when I won in ‘06.” The last event before the first major championship of the year has drawn a strong field, including two-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, South Korean KJ Choi, Justin Leonard, Steve Stricker and 2006 US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy of Australia. Stricker was happy to have a chance to warm up for Augusta in some less wintry weather than he has back home in Wisconsin. “We’re still not able to hit balls or play up in Wisconsin yet so it’s still kind of difficult for me to get into tournaments feeling totally prepared,” he said. “But it’s been a good start to the season and look forward to this week and next week at Augusta.” afp