You need only reflect on their post-round interviews 12 months ago to understand why Adam Scott and Stephanie Kyriacou return to their respective venues this week wrestling mixed emotions.

After squeezing in some preparation for The Open at Royal Portrush last week, Scott will play the Genesis Scottish Open for the 11th time having been run down by home-country hero Robert MacIntyre in the 2024 edition.

Kyriacou was also runner-up in her corresponding event of a year ago, denied a major championship triumph when Japan’s Ayaka Furue made eagle at the 72nd hole to steal away the Amundi Evian Championship.

In a sport where winning is so infrequent, finishing second presents the most conflicting confluence of emotional states.

To finish second in such prestigious championships is a mark of success in almost every respect but brings with it the torment of what-ifs and could-have-beens.

“Sucks not to hold the trophy,” was Kyriacou’s typically honest appraisal immediately after last year’s Evian Championship.

“If you told me I would come second at the start of the week I would’ve been happy,” she quickly added.

For Scott, now a week out from his 45th birthday, last year’s Scottish Open was a chance to break a winless drought stretching back more than four years.

That drought is now in its sixth year, making last year’s near miss at The Renaissance Club also one of conflicting emotions.

“Good to be in the mix,” said Scott. “A shame to come up short but Bob did what he had to do to win. Eagle, par, birdie, that’s great stuff.”

Joined by Elvis Smylie and Karl Vilips, Scott is one of three Aussies in the field in Scotland, Kyriacou will be one of nine Australians contesting the fourth women’s major of 2025 in France.

Exempt into next week’s Open Championship in Northern Ireland, Cameron Smith, Lucas Herbert and Marc Leishman will prepare alongside Ripper GC teammate Matt Jones at the LIV Golf Andalucia event in Spain and there are eight Aussies in the field for the DICK’S Open on the PGA TOUR Champions.

Photos: Harry How/Getty Images (Scott); Philippe Millereau KMSP (Kyriacou)

Round 1 tee times AEST

LPGA Tour/Ladies European Tour
The Amundi Evian Championship
Evian Resort Golf Club, France
3:24pm            Karis Davidson
3:48pm*          Lydia Ko (NZ)
4pm*               Minjee Lee
4:48pm            Hira Naveed
5pm*               Gabriela Ruffels
8pm*               Grace Kim, Cassie Porter
8:36pm            Hannah Green
8:48pm*          Stephanie Kyriacou
10pm               Robyn Choi

Recent champion: Ayaka Furue
Past Aussie winners: Rachel Hetherington (2001), Wendy Doolan (2004), Karrie Webb (2006), Minjee Lee (2021)
Prize money: $US8m
TV times: Live 8pm-2am Thursday, Friday; Live 9:15pm-12am Saturday on Fox Sports 505; Live 6pm-12am Sunday on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo.

LET Access Series
Vasteras Open
Skerike Golfklubb, Sweden
4:22pm*          Kristalle Blum
8:50pm*          Abbie Teasdale
9:01pm*          Stephanie Bunque
9:12pm            Justice Bosio
9:12pm*          Belinda Ji

Recent champion: Puk Lyng Thomsen (2023)
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: €45,000

Epson Tour
Hartford HealthCare Women’s Championship
Great River Golf Club, Milford, Connecticut
9:15pm*          Jennifer Elliott
2:26am            Jess Whitting
2:26am*           Su Oh

Recent champion: Daniela Iacobelli
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Prize money: $US225,000