Q&A: Adam Scott on His New Clothing Collaboration, Golf Fashion and One Regrettable Look

The longtime Uniqlo ambassador teamed up with fashion designer Lucas Ossendrijver for looks combining lightweight design with functionality.

Adam Scott's golf swing has been the envy of fellow pros and amateurs since the Australian began on Tour more than 20 years ago.

He has also long had one of the sharpest sartorial senses in the game, with the latest example coming this week in a release of a new collection with Uniqlo.

Scott, a Uniqlo ambassador, teamed with fashion designer Lucas Ossendrijver for what the company calls its "LifeWear Collection," featuring quick-drying polo shirts and newly designed AirSense pants.

Adam Scott said the Uniqlo striped Dry-Ex polos are his favorite from the LifeWear Collection / Courtesy Uniqlo

Scott wore items from the collection at this year's Masters and PGA Championship and answered a few questions for Sports Illustrated prior to this week's U.S. Open

Sports Illustrated: How did your partnership with Uniqlo begin?

Adam Scott: The partnership with Uniqlo began 10 years ago now, and it was a fun start to the relationship. The first week I was partnered with Uniqlo, I won the Masters in 2013. It was a dream start for the partnership, and it has been a great support for me over the last 10 years of my career—and hopefully on into the future. I think we have really been able to achieve quite a few things together as Uniqlo has grown globally in that time, and it feels nice to be part of that partnership.

SI: What led to creating the latest collection with Uniqlo, designed by Lucas Ossendrijver?

AS: I’ve worked with Uniqlo a lot over the past 10 years, especially around the major championships, to put in that extra effort and stand out on the golf course. This year, working with the team and Lucas was a really great opportunity to incorporate my own personal style on the course. Not only did they achieve that, but also they made me feel comfortable in doing that with some of the designs. I’ve really enjoyed wearing this collection, most recently at the PGA.

SI: What are your favorite pieces from the collection? What are you wearing today?

AS: The striped polos are actually my favorite pieces from this collection. I think the colors we chose are really sophisticated. Striped polos are such a golf thing and not normally something I wear, but I enjoyed wearing that. Today, I am wearing a piece from the Masters Collection earlier in the year, which has very subtle details, but the striped polos are probably my favorite.

SI: How does the collection fit with your own style?

AS: It fits well within my own style. I think I stand out through small details and sophisticated colors—that is exactly what this collection is. Sometimes mixing colors that are not generally considered complementary is also why the collection stands out. The team has a great eye for mixing those colors and I am always proud to wear Uniqlo on the golf course.

SI: How does this collection blend function and fashion for on and off the green?

AS: I think, more than ever, this collection is versatile and can cross over from the golf course to everyday life. I have been wearing the striped polos casually, and I think they look great on and off the golf course. I often get comments about the polo, probably because it is striped and people don’t see me wearing that style as much. If you are a golfer, you are always looking for a good-looking polo.

SI: Why do you think fashion is such an integral part of golf?

AS: I think it is one of the few sports where you can really express your own personality through the clothing you wear. We don’t have a uniform like a lot of sports and teams do, and this is an opportunity for the individual to express themselves. It can be a little more fashionable with the advancement in materials and technology, too. Not only can it look good but also, it can perform well. That is the fun part about being involved in the process with Uniqlo for me.

SI: What is a trend in golf fashion that you really like? What is one that you can't get on board with?

AS: [laughter] I’m not sure. It might be the pleated trousers at the moment. It is not really a trend yet, but maybe we will start it, bringing them back in. It certainly is in mainstream fashion. The one thing I really can’t get on board with, and I’ll admit, I’ve worn in the past (we all have our moments we regret) is the white belt. I think the white belt is over.