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Adam Scott's streak of appearing in 91 consecutive majors likely came to an end on Monday in a dramatic playoff finish at a U.S. Open qualifying event in Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Ohio.
The four lowest scorers out of the 64-person field gained entry into the 2024 U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina (June 13-16). Scott (-7) was in fourth when he finished his 1-under par round after a bogey on No. 18.
As he sat idly by, though, Beau Hossler, Cameron Davis, and Carson Schaake pulled ahead. A late bogey from Davis momentarily kept Scott's streak alive.
On the first playoff hole, Scott holed-out from off the green for a birdie, but Davis — a fellow Aussie who considers Scott his “hero” — matched with a clutch birdie putt. Davis left a potentially-winning birdie putt on the second playoff hole just short.
AUSSIE VS. AUSSIE PLAYOFF DRAMA 🇦🇺😳
Adam Scott chips in for birdie as Cam Davis answers with a birdie of his own!
📺: Golf's Longest Day on GC & @peacock pic.twitter.com/1WQiEcSrI7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 4, 2024
On the third playoff hole, with darkness setting in, Davis hit the fairway then placed his second shot within five feet of the front hole location. Scott landed his drive in the fairway bunker, then put his approach short of the green. Scott's putt from the fringe came up short, while Davis tapped in to secure a trip to Pinehurst.
Scott, a former world no. 1, was ranked as high as no. 6 after his last win on the PGA Tour, at the 2020 Genesis Invitational. The 2013 Masters champion momentarily fell out of the top 60 when he missed the cut at the PGA Championship at Valhalla — the same day the U.S. Open sent exemptions out to players ranked in the top 60. Scott moved back to 58th after a T12 at the Charles Schwab Challenge, and now sits 60th after his T42 at the RBC Canadian Open.
Scott will be one of six possible alternates (the USGA's system is undisclosed but rarely yields late additions). Theoretically, Scott could qualify late if he's ranked top-60 by next Monday, but he's not in the field for the Memorial.
In 2018, Scott was out of the top 60 but successfully used a qualifying event to prolong his major streak. Scott missed the cut at Shinnecock.
Scott's first major of the streak came way back in 2001 — at the 2001 British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s. Jordan Spieth has the next-longest major streak, at 44. He finished T47.
The last year Adam Scott didn't play in a #USOpen? Way back in 2001! 🤯
The Aussie is currently tied for the lead at Springfield Country Club.
Scores: https://t.co/fgHM2R1f4U pic.twitter.com/S5aXeYmbSR
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 3, 2024
As impressive as Scott's longevity is, his streak pales in comparison to Jack Nicklaus' (the host of the Memorial). The Golden Bear competed in 146 straight majors from the 1962 Masters through the 1998 U.S. Open.
Beginning in 1974, Tom Watson played 87 in a row, missed the cut at the '96 Open Championship, then appeared in the next 18 majors.
Scott, 43, serves on the PGA Tour policy board and remains a key figure in negotiations with LIV Golf's backer, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Last week, Scott told GolfWeek that talks with PIF are “moving along as quickly as it can.”
