Since 2001,Scott has played in every US Open,US Masters,PGA Championship and British Open. But after 91 tournaments,the former world No.1 was not guaranteed a spot in the US Open next week via world rankings,so tried to lock down a place through the tournament’s qualification system.
Scott was among 687 golfers chasing the last 44 spots in 10 competitions on Tuesday (AEST).
Playing in Ohio,he needed to finish in the top four at a 36-hole qualifier. Two strong rounds of 64 and 69 put him in a tie for fourth,at seven under,with fellow Australian Cam Davis,who missed a putt on the last to seal the spot for himself.
As darkness fell,the pair battled in a play-off,and Scott took the upper hand when he chipped in for birdie from off the green on the first hole.
Davis rolled in a nerveless 15-foot putt to stay alive,then won the play-off – and the US Open spot – when he nailed an approach to near the pin on the 39th hole of the day.
Adam Scott looks set to miss the US Open in 2024.Getty
Scott’s chances of teeing up in a 92nd consecutive major on June 13 are not entirely dead,however.
He is ranked No.60 in the world,which is right on the cut-off for US Open qualifying,but he can’t afford to drop a single place following this week’s Memorial PGA tournament in Ohio. The US Golf Association has six spots available for any further qualifiers via world rankings,but Scott’s fate is in other people’s hands as he is not playing in the Memorial.
Scott is also listed as an alternate for the US Open,meaning he could get a call-up via a withdrawal or a late invitation from tournament organisers.
Scott’s 91-tournament run is the second-longest in history,behind Jack Nicklaus’ extraordinary record of 146 between 1962 and 1998.
Davis,the 2017 Australian Open champion,was not aware he’d potentially ended Scott’s streak until told about it in a post-round interview.
“Aagh,I was not aware of that,” Davis said. “I don’t think I would have tried any less. It just goes to show how good a player he is. I had to hit a cracking shot to get on top of him. He has been an idol of mine,and it was great to play great golf against him. All the best to him. Hopefully,he still finds a way in. He is right on the bubble world-ranking wise. Fingers crossed we can both be there.”
Davis,who missed the cut in last year’s event,will play in his ninth major,and second US Open. He has won once on the PGA Tour,in the Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2021 in Detroit,and finished 12th at the Masters in April.
“My legs are really sore right now. That was a really long day,” he said. “I am really grateful I was able to get some good swings out there. Everything gets a little tougher when you hit the 36-hole mark,definitely,but it was great to play some good golf today.
“I didn’t know[about the play-off with Scott] until I signed my scorecard. But I have played a bit of golf with him and been on the same team with him,so I am used to his game.
“If I hadn’t played with him before,it would be a different story. It would be easy to get the awe sensation with someone who has won majors and is as prolific as he is with the golf clubs.”
Other notable golfers who missed out include Zach Johnson,Joaquin Niemann,Stewart Cink,Charley Hoffman,Graeme McDowell,Charl Schwartzel,Luke Donald and Jason Dufner.
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