Adam Scott begins defense of Australian Masters title and another crack at Triple Crown

Adam Scott will attempt to win his third Australian Masters title in a row on yet another renowned Melbourne sand-belt course, and with a tryout caddie on his bag.

Scott went close to winning Australian golf's so-called "Triple Crown" last year but Rory McIlroy's birdie on the 18th hole at the Australian Open relegated Scott to second place at that tournament.

On Thursday, Scott begins play at Metropolitan, which is hosting the Masters for the first time. Last year, Scott beat American Matt Kuchar by two strokes at Royal Melbourne, successfully defending the Australian Masters title he won at Kingston Heath in 2012.

No. 2-ranked Scott, with U.S.-based Englishman David Clark as caddie, will renew his rivalry with No. 1 McIlroy in the Australian Open next week at Sydney.