Phil Scott didn't make the trip from Australia to St. Louis, but he's a major reason why his son, Adam, is playing at the PGA Championship this week. Phil golfed professionally in Australia, and he taught Adam the sport.
"I grew up at a golf club basically," Adam Scott said at Bellerive Country Club. "Talked golf and walked golf. It's all I've ever known."
Scott's mother, Pam, also plays, and the PGA Tour member told Fox Sports in 2014 that his temperament resembles his mom's more than his dad's. In a Courier Mail article the same year, Phil said his son has gotten better at letting go of his frustration on the course.
Phil Scott's LinkedIn profile lists him as the owner of Scott Golf Designs, and he drew up Peregian Springs Golf Club in Queensland, Australia.
"He's designed a couple of golf courses, but he's done everything from being a club manufacturer to course designer to golf course operations," Adam said.
Adam Scott, 38, enters the PGA Championship at 76th in the World Golf Rankings. He spent 11 weeks as the world's No. 1 in 2014 and captured the 2013 Masters title, making him the first Australian to win the tournament.
Scott has some experience at Bellerive. He played the course at the 2008 BMW Championship, finishing in a tie for 50th, and he was at the 2001 American Express World Golf Championship, which was cancelled after 9/11.
Though he's been to the course before, he's still hoping to add familiarity ahead of competition, which starts Thursday.
"If I could get out for two rounds, that would be really good," he said walking onto the course Monday.
He also said he wants to stay aware of the heat. Temperatures reached 98 degrees Monday, and Scott wants to balance practice with rest.
As Scott walked over a bridge and onto the course, autograph-seekers called his name. As a major champion and the world's former No. 1, his presence carries weight.
Scott said he would visit with fans later in the day. First, he wanted to check out the course.
"Obviously I haven't played it very much," he said Monday. "I need to learn it pretty quick the next three days."
