PREVIEW-Golf-Competing in Maui a double advantage for Scott

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

KAPALUA, Hawaii, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Being in Maui for the PGA Tour's season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship is almost a double bonus for every player in the field, according to Adam Scott.

The elite $5.6 million event brings together winners from the previous season, giving each of them the chance to get a jump-start on their rivals before next week's Sony Open, the first full-field tournament of the year.

"It's great to start in Maui because it means you've won an event the year before," Australian Scott, 28, told reporters at the Kapalua Resort on Tuesday during preparation for Thursday's opening round.

"You can get your year off to a fast start with a good week here, so that's really the goal. I'm just looking forward to playing again. It's been a while."

Although surfing enthusiast Scott fully appreciates the holiday atmosphere and beauty of the island of Maui, he does not view either as a handicap in getting to grips with tournament golf.

"I think you've got to use both to your advantage," said the world number 15, who booked his place in the Kapalua field by winning last year's Byron Nelson Championship.

"It's nice and relaxed here. It's a small field and it's Hawaii, which is obviously great.

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