Scott lets his golf do the talking

A lot of people had a lot to talk about on day three of the Australian Open today, but before anyone could get a word in the king of Australian golf rolled into town as the public face of this year’s tournament. Greg Norman flew in to lend his support to the tournament despite not playing due to recent shoulder surgery.

He talked about his own fitness, world economics and his admiration of James Nitties. He mentioned he thought seriously about picking him for the Presidents Cup but when pressed on on the Tiger affair or yesterday’s green speed debacle his talk was short. Not immune to public scrutiny for personal issues himself he was never going to say anything on the Tiger affair apart from assuring everyone, golf is bigger than one player.

“Golf’s got an image bigger than any individual so that’s not going to affect the game of golf.”

Geoff Ogilvy was talking. In fact it appeared to take precedence over his practice session as he was clearly still infuriated by green speed problems suspended play for five hours on Friday. Ogilvy had told organisers on Tuesday they needed to slow the speed of the greens but nothing was done. In fact, greens were cut on Friday morning.

Peter Senior wanted to talk and made it clear that the PGA of Australia were not to blame for the debacle. He wanted to let everyone know it was the amateur golf body, Golf Australia who managed to orchestrate the five hour suspension after strong winds blew golf balls off of greens. Some players losing up to three shots.

The final word of the day however, sat with Adam Scott. He let his golf do the talking for the first time that many can remember. Some kids at the Greg Norman golf clinic weren’t old enough to recall a day when Adam Scott used to make his mark on a tournament.

After Stuart Appleby missed some early putts, Scott then got his putter working to shoot to a three shot lead at one stage. Not even bogeys on 15 and 16 could stymie his run. Birdies on 17 and 18 assured a two shot lead over Appleby going into tomorrow’s round.

It was the Adam Scott many of us older brigade may remember and what a boost for his career it would be to win his first big tournament on home soil. It will be something everyone will be talking about.

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