Adam Scott's Career Went from World No. 1 to Forgetful in 365 Days

A full 365 days ago, Adam Scott was the World No. 1, en route to winning the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

Oh, what a year can do.

Not only has his game slipped, but he's not even the most popular Adam Scott during a Google search. 

Scott’s stretch of golf following his plaid jacket victory last season was very consistent, never finishing worse than T16. For 11 weeks, Scott was the world’s top-ranked player, but ever since Rory McIlroy regained that spot, things have been different.

It’s not like Scott’s beautiful swing has disappeared this year, either. Scott’s world ranking has dropped to No. 11, but he still ranks fourth in driving distance, fifth in strokes gained: tee to green, and eighth in ball striking.

However, his last six starts have gone: cut, T35, T38, T52, T38, cut. Scott hadn't missed a cut since May 2012, but he has already missed two this season. 

So what's wrong with Scott in 2015? The major problem with his game right now is putting.

As the old saying goes: “Drive for show and putt for dough.”

Scott ranks 176th in total putting and 90th in putting average. Compared to last season, those statistics are atrocious.

In 2014, Scott was one of the best overall putters on the PGA Tour, ranking fourth in putting average and 54th in total putting.

Putting average ranks greens in regulation putts, which means Scott was capitalizing on his birdie putts almost more than any other player on Tour.

The hot topic surrounding putting over the past two years has been the anchoring-putting ban, with Scott being at the forefront of it. After trying a short putter to begin the season, Scott has still decided to use his anchored putter until it’s banned.

Via Rex Hoggard of Golf Central, Scott explained his decision to stick with the anchored putter.

“I’ll have time again at the end of the year to make a change and probably have a little more or a better understanding of exactly what I want to do with it now that I have at least played a couple of events with the shorter putter.”

Although his results have been similar with both putters, Scott wants to stick with the putter that helped him win the 2013 Masters.

Speaking of the Masters, the man who was on the bag for him during that momentous victory isn’t with him anymore. Caddies never receive enough credit for a player’s victory, but Steve Williams isn’t any ordinary caddie.

In only three years, the duo won four times on the PGA Tour, including Scott’s only major championship. Not only that, but Scott was able to become the No. 1 player in the world with Williams on the bag.

Williams caddied for Raymond Floyd, Greg Norman and was with Tiger Woods for 13 of his 14 majors, so it’s no accident that similar success transitioned with Scott.

It’s clear that Scott misses Williams by his side. He shared his thoughts with Brian Wacker, via PGATour.com, following their separation. 

"Steve has been an integral part of my team in a period where I have fulfilled some of my lifetime golfing goals," Scott said. "His dedication and professionalism have been without question, and his friendship is highly valued." 

If it wasn’t for Williams, Scott might not even have “Masters champion” beside his name. Williams actually shook off Scott’s initial read during the playoff, before Scott trusted his caddie and drained his Masters-winning putt.

“The winning putt might be the highlight of my career, because he asked me to read it,” Williams told The Associated Press (h/t Golf Channel). 

It’s not certain if Scott asked Williams for reads during every tournament, but that could be what Scott is missing this season. No disrespect to Mike Kerr—Scott’s current caddie—but it’s tough to replicate the expertise that Williams possessed.

Another factor within Scott’s recent problems could be his family life. Scott is a new father, and those sleepless nights could be getting to him. Scott typically resides in his home in the Bahamas or in Switzerland, which means life on the PGA Tour is far away from family.

His wife doesn’t attend many tournaments either, so the absence of his family and a father figure like Williams on the road could be having a major impact on his golf game.

Putting is more mental than anything, and a cloudy mind can lead to more three-putts.

Once Scott figures out his putting woes, he'll be back in the winner's circle in a hurry, but until then, missed cuts may be a regular occurrence.   

However, maybe all Scott needs is a visit to his happy place.

As the defending champion at Colonial this week, those winning memories may be what Scott needs to turn his game around.