Adam Scott and Jason Day have injury and health issues to overcome ahead of the Masters beginning on November 12th, but the pair who enjoy fine records in the event appear on track to extend their love affair with Augusta National.
Scott’s recent diagnosis when testing positive for Covid 19 will mean a disrupted preparation ahead of the Masters while Day has bounced back just a few days after succumbing to one of the many career injuries he has faced to record a solid opening round of 68 at the Zozo Championship in California.
Scott is required to self-isolate and will therefore have only the Houston Open the week before Augusta National to prepare for a tilt at a second Masters title, seven years after his first.
Scott has played only four events since a return from a lengthy break in Australia as world golf sat out a Covid 19 enforced layoff.
He has played solidly since, but has yet to record a top ten and the break in continuity of play comes at an awkward time for the 40 year old.
Day was forced to withdraw with a neck injury when contending for last week’s event at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas but after a 4 birdie, no bogey round of 68 at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks today he appears to have at least partially overcome that disappointment.
Day indicated after his round that that while still not fully recovered he is attempting to manage his injury.
“I mean, it’s fine,” said Day post round. “Just obviously not 100 percent, but I’ve got to just keep pushing through it. It’s a quick turnaround, you know what I mean?
“So, I understand kind of what I need to do, so I’ve got to just keep getting treatment and keep moving on. I think overall I’m glad that I got through today, which was good.”
In eight starts in which he has played at least 18 holes at the Masters (he withdrew after round one in 2012) Day has been three times inside the top five, one of those when runner-up on debut in 2011.
In that same period, Scott has been four times inside the top ten including his playoff victory in 2013.
And so these next three weeks ahead of the delayed Masters Tournament are crucial for both players if they are to be as well prepared as possible ahead of the final major title of 2020.
Scott and Day are two of five Australians in the field for Augusta National. Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman and Victorian amateur Lukas Michel, who won the 2019 US Mid Amateur make up the numbers.
Adam Scott – winning in 2013. Courtesy of Getty Images
