Despite tough season, Scott ready to rock at President's Cup

SAN FRANCISCO -- With the Pacific Ocean situated just a few hundred yards over the horizon, Adam Scott was tossed a life preserver at the Presidents Cup.

We'll have to wait to determine whether it was made of lead.

The struggling megastar, who has skidded so quickly from the pantheon of elite players that it's become a source of alarm in his native Australia, was a controversial addition to the International team by countryman and captain Greg Norman, his longtime hero and occasional mentor.

Aware that he'd get some stick for perceived favoritism, Norman hopes the pick provides a sense of buoyancy for Scott, which beats the heck out of a monthslong spiral in the commode.

"Sometimes to me, a shot of confidence in the arm of an individual, just by giving him a spot, is what is necessary to turn him around," Norman said Tuesday.

Whether it proves to be a tap in the arm or an inadvertent haymaker to the jaw is anybody's guess, since the soft-spoken Scott will surely be the most scrutinized of the 24 players in this week's matches.

"Part of me thinks it could backfire," his longtime coach, Butch Harmon, said two weeks ago in Atlanta.

Other than Norman's tabloid-bursting breakup with bride Chris Evert, the discussion about the matches over the past few weeks has centered on Scott, who has a 7-6-2 record in his three Prez Cup appearances. His winning record in the event notwithstanding, jaws dropped when Norman added him as an at-large pick four weeks ago.

A few short months ago, Scott played the first two rounds of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines alongside Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson -- the 1-2-3 power trio in the world rankings at the time. For Scott, whose jet-setting lifestyle and bevy of celebrity girlfriends have come under increasing scrutiny, this season has been an absolute skid mark.

In his last 17 starts on the PGA Tour dating to mid-January, he has missed 10 cuts and earned $230,000. He hasn't had a finish better than 33rd in that span and has nosedived to No. 65 in the world, making him the lowest-rated player in the field. He was bounced after one round of the FedEx Cup series. Concerned about his wayward driver, he tweaked his swing in the spring, with little visible effect so far.

Now he's showing his dented wares on a global stage surrounded by the best assemblage of talent, the Europeans notwithstanding, in the game today. Scott, one of the most likeable stars in the sport, has plenty of people rooting for him, but whether this was a good idea or not is highly debatable. He'll be poked and picked at like an old ballmark.

"It's a tough deal," Ernie Els said. "For Greg choosing him and for Adam now having the year he's had, to go play in the spotlight, it's going to be difficult, but hopefully it goes well."

For those who have watched Scott hit balls, nothing looks different on the surface. His swing appears as graceful and pure as any on tour, Woods included.

"I think it's mental," Harmon said at the Tour Championship. "You look at that golf swing and ask yourself, 'How did he miss [10] cuts his year?'"

Scott said the Norman largesse gave him a huge carrot to work toward and he spent the month bashing balls outside London. He played last week at Turning Stone and finished T35, but felt like he built some momentum after sitting out four weeks in the FedEx stretch.

"I've been working my ass off for three weeks trying to get my game as good as I possibly can," said Scott, 29. "It was solid last week. You know, gee, I wish it was 100 percent this week, but it was really something good to come into here with some solid stuff and not erratic golf like I have been playing."

Scott: 'I've never worked harder than this year. ...' (Getty Images)

Everybody will watch and decide for themselves on that front, most likely. His captain is named the Shark, but it's Scotty who's in the fishbowl.

Scott all but bristled when asked whether criticism of his social life was valid, since some have whispered that he's become too much like Norman, whose career long has served as a professional template. After all, Scott doesn't have much of a "brand" unless the results on the golf course are stellar. While his game has sputtered, he spent millions on a fancy jet and been romantically linked to actress Kate Hudson and tennis star Ana Ivanovic.

"Everyone has their theories," said Geoff Ogilvy, one of Scott's best friends on tour. "I don't know how he spoke to you guys, but to us he's pretty passionate about his golf and that's all he wants to be. He does a bit of flying around, but he's done that, and until this year, he was still playing great. He is as dedicated to being a good golfer as anyone else. So I don't think that it's fair."

Said Scott: "It's a little disappointing that they get that impression. As I say, I've never worked harder than this year [at a level] I couldn't imagine in years past, I've hit so many golf balls and worked so hard. And that's been the frustrating part is to not get results from all of the hard work."

Harmon and Scott parted ways several weeks ago, at least temporarily, and the message from Harmon is pretty clear: Maybe tough love will work.

"I love him like a son, but to me, ne needs to figure out what his priorities are," Harmon said.

Not much ambiguity there. This week might not be the best place to start rebuilding the resume, though.

"I think it puts a lot of pressure on him," Kenny Perry said. "I don't think it's a bad pick and I know Adam and Greg are good buddies.

"It is a little bit of a step out on a limb, but it's Adam Scott. It's a guy that's proven."

Proven and groovin' aren't exactly the same deal, are they?