U.S. Open
U.S. Open 2024: Adam Scott's ridiculous major streak in jeopardy
Bradley Kanaris
On the longest day in golf Adam Scott fell just short his end goal, putting his impressive major streak in jeopardy.
Scott bogeyed the 36th hole at Ohio's Springfield C.C. during the U.S. Open’s Final Qualifying on Monday, putting him into a playoff with fellow Aussie Cam Davis for the last spot from the Springfield location. Scott’s chip-in for birdie at the first hole of sudden death was matched when Davis converted a 15-foot birdie putt of his own. After trading pars at the second extra hole, Davis secured the Pinehurst invite by sticking his approach at the third to two feet while Scott could only muster par. Meaning, at the moment, Scott does not have a tee time secured for next week’s U.S. Open.
If that sounds crazy, well, it is. Scott has played in every major since the 2001 Open Championship, a streak that entails 91 straight major starts. Only Jack Nicklaus has made more consecutive major appearances with 146 (1962 U.S. Open to 1998 Masters).
But the streak is not over just yet. Scott is currently No. 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking, and the top 60 as of next Monday who aren't already in the field get 11th-hour invites. The USGA is holding back six spots in case of late qualifiers through the World Ranking. The problem here for Scott is that he's not playing in this week’s Memorial Tournament, meaning he has to hope he doesn’t get jumped. Players who are behind Scott in the OWGR who are playing at Muirfield Village include Tom Hoge, Mackenzie Hughes, Jake Knapp and Taylor Pendrith, all of whom already are in the U.S. Open field. (The recently departed Grayson Murray is No. 61 on the OWGR.)
If the OWGR spot doesn't come to fruition, there’s also the slim possibility that Scott makes the U.S. Open as a first alternate.
In 22 career U.S. Open starts, Scott’s best showing is a T-4 in 2015 at Chambers Bay, where he finished two shots short of winner Jordan Spieth. In eight starts since he has just one top-10 U.S. Open finish.
(Updated, June 9, 7PM: Adam Scott will make it into the U.S. Open field when the Official World Golf Rankings update later toinght. He will be inside the top 60 and earn an exemption to Pinehurst.)