ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Adam Scott feels as if he’s owed a British Open title. He feels as if he owes himself one.
Until — or unless — Scott wins a Claret Jug, he’ll always remember 2012 at Royal Lytham, where he blew a four-shot lead with four holes to play and allowed Ernie Els to win his second career Open Championship.
And Scott, after shooting a 5-under 67 in Friday’s second round, is in position to deliver, three shots out of the lead at 7-under for the tournament entering the weekend.
“I’m very motivated,’’ Scott said. “I definitely let that one slip, and I would love to be sitting here having won the Open, but I’m going to have to work hard for it. I’ve had a couple good looks at it since then. I played really well last year and was just too far behind, and then at Muirfield [in 2013] I was leading on the back nine, and [Phil] Mickelson finished great and I didn’t. I think I’m playing with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder.
“I’m trying to play my way in with a chance. There’s so much golf to be played, and I’m excited about this opportunity this weekend. The last few years at the Open has been some of my favorite golf. Getting into contention at this championship and having a chance to lift the Claret Jug is what it’s all about. This is a great position.’’
Scott said he “tried to brush off’’ that 2012 Open loss, but, “It was the first time I’d ever kind of controlled the outcome of a major championship. I guess it was all what I did coming down the stretch. That really did hurt, but I was so happy with the way I played generally that week that I could lift myself above anywhere I’d been before and the field for that week that I just wanted another crack at it.’’
He got one the following year, winning the 2013 Masters, his first and only major championship.
“I probably carried that chip into the Masters and maybe it got a little bit smaller, but still, I feel like I’ve been really close to lifting this trophy, and I’m very motivated to do it this weekend now that I’m in this position, and I’d be very disappointed if I never did in my career when I got so close,’’ Scott said.
Other than his immense talent, an extra club in Scott’s bag has been his caddie, Steve Williams, who had retired after last year. Williams, Tiger Woods’ former caddie, recently returned to work for Scott, whose results already have improved.
“It was the right call for me to make at this point in the year to get him back out and instill a bit of confidence in my game and get back in that flow,’’ Scott said. “He’s a huge factor in the way I’ve played the last few years. I have to absolutely give him a lot of credit for that. He helped take my game up to the levels it’s been along with my coach the last few years and a lot of hard work from all of us.’’
Scott said he and Williams “checked in with each other every so often’’ while Williams was in “retirement.’’
“We had a few long chats before he came and caddied for me at the U.S. Open, as I was begging and pleading for him to come out there,’’ Scott said. “Unfortunately I have to admit that. But I think we hit our stride straight away. Obviously he lays it on the table for you, and you have to like it or not. He certainly knows how to get the best out of me on the golf course, and that was our goal for these few weeks that he’s going to caddie, and so far we’re doing a pretty good job.
“I don’t really want to have to say how great he is, but I did butter him up a little bit, and our record was really good the last few years in the majors.’’