Honda Classic victory silence doubts about Adam Scott's putting

By Ali Stafford

Adam Scott held off a final day challenge from Sergio Garcia to claim the Honda Classic and said it felt like hard work.

Adam Scott admitted he was pleased to silence the doubters about his putting switch by claiming a first PGA Tour victory in nearly two years at the Honda Classic.

The former world No 1 had been expected to struggle after switching from his long putter in the autumn, but followed a runner-up finish at last week's Northern Trust Open with a one-shot victory at PGA National.

Scott had won the Masters and topped the world rankings with the long putter before switching to the short flat stick, with victory in Florida being his first worldwide title since the 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational and his first with a conventional putter since the 2010 Singapore Open.

"I'm so pleased," Scott told Sky Sports. "It's been a long time between drinks on the PGA Tour, especially after I was in such good form the last time I won, but that's the beauty of this game.

Image: Scott moves back in to the world's top 10 with Honda Classic victory

"It was a tough change in some ways but I fully embraced it when I decided to make it at the Presidents Cup last year. I have enjoyed putting with the shorter putter since.

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"I feel like I am getting better and better and today was a great test. I made some and missed some. I'm going to try and get better next week and it's certainly validated making the move to the short putter."

Going in to the final round at the top of the leaderboard alongside long-time friend Sergio Garcia, Scott birdied two of his opening five holes to open up a two-stroke advantage but lost ground with back-to-back blemishes around the turn.

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Image: The former world No 1 mixed three birdes with as many bogeys during his final round

The Australian found himself back two clear at the 11th and again at the 17th, before a close range par was enough to secure victory and a place back in the world's top 10.

"It felt like hard work out there to get it in the clubhouse and Sergio stuck with me the whole way and did not give me an inch," Scott added. "Fortunately it was enough to win.

"The game was definitely there, although it was not as pinpoint as yesterday. It's hard to do that two days in a row at PGA National, but I hit some great shots at the right times and hit a lot of putts that hit edges today."

The Florida Swing continues next week with the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf

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