Adam Scott has admitted that he has a 'thorn in his side' following the manner in which he missed out on last season's Australian Open title to Rory McIlroy.
The Australian, who will line up against the Northern Irishman for this year's tournament on Thursday, bogeyed the final hole to allow McIlroy to scoop the title in 2013.
"I certainly have a thorn in my side after not winning last year," Scott told reporters. "I did everything but win.
"Even late in the piece I had my chances to kind of close the door, but I left it open and you can't do that with the best players in the world. They'll walk right through and Rory did."
Scott has earned just one victory this season at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, while McIlroy has had a stellar campaign by winning back-to-back Majors at the British Open and US PGA Championship.