Adam Scott will play his 96th consecutive major at the US Open and next year's could be 100

News.com.au

a day ago

A final-hole double-bogey at the PGA Championship had made Adam Scott's task of achieving a feat only one player in the history of golf has – and it wasn't Tiger Woods – a little bit harder.
But for the 44-year-old Australian, who this week tees off in his 96th consecutive major championship at the US Open, attempting to join Jack Nicklaus as the only man to play 100 in a row, looms as a challenge he's willing to accept.
Scott, one of six Australians in the field at the famed at famed Oakmont Country Club, started his major streak at the 2001 British Open and for the past 24 years has either won his way to, or qualified for, every major since.
He's actually played 97 majors, playing the PGA Championship in 2001 but not the US Open that followed.
Scott is already exempt for the this year's British Open, which will take him onto 97, and his lifetime invite to Augusta National courtesy of his win at the 2013 Masters will, pending his fitness, take him to 98.
But a six at the final hole at last month's PGA dropped him outside the top 15, costing him an automatic spot at Quail Hollow next year.
As long as he stays in the top 50 of the world rankings, Scott, currently 42, would hold his spot in the field.
He was as high as 18 last year, playing a perfectly curated schedule Scott used to prime himself for the majors, and few would doubt his capacity to do enough to ensure next year's US Open was major No.100.
It's on his mind too; asked about his streak at last week's Memorial tournament, where he finished tied for 31st, Scott said: 'I think this will be my 97th, but it's my 96th in a row, I believe,' he said of his streak.
'So if it's my 97th and what have we got? Two more, I mean it may be my 100th. The US Open will be a hundred in a row.'
While Scott's streak is second to one, fellow Aussie Marc Leishman returns to the major championships for the first time since 2022 after the LIV star came through 38 holes of qualifying, including a two-hole playoff, last week to earn his spot.
He hasn't played a major since the 2022 British Open at St Andrews, where he missed the cut, but has played at Oakmont since his shift to LIV, with his manager Bud Martin and father Paul and knows what it will take to win.
'I love the place,' Leishman said.
'We went there with Bud and my dad and we played there for a couple of days about two years ago.
'I've been there quite a few times and, yeah, love it.
'I feel like if I can have a good week with my driver – and I've been driving it well – I can really let my iron play do its thing and put myself in places where I can actually make putts.
'You can be hitting good shots into those greens and, if you're leaving yourself downhillers, you've got no chance.'
Australians in the field
Cam Davis
US Open appearances: 2
Best US Open finish: MC (2023, 2024)
Jason Day
US Open appearances: 12
Best US Open finish: 2nd (2011, 2013)
Min Woo Lee
US Open appearances: 3
Best US Open finish: T5 (2023)
Marc Leishman
US Open appearances: 11
Best US Open finish: T14 (2022)
Adam Scott
US Open appearances: 23
Best US Open finish: T4 (2015)
Cameron Smith
US Open appearances: 9
Best US Open finish: 4th (2023)