Adam Scott says he will have to adopt a “gladiator’s do or die mentality” at the US Open if he wants to win an elusive second Major, admitting his streak of playing in 83 consecutive slams is not as impressive as it sounds.
Scott’s incredible longevity is evident in the fact he will tee up in his 84th consecutive Major at the US Open, the longest streak of any active male player. The nearest player to Scott is Justin Rose at 47 consecutive Majors, followed by Webb Simpson (38) Jordan Spieth (36) and Patrick Reed (33).
“I must be due for a win,” Scott told Australian Golf Digest during a practice round on Wednesday at The Country Club at Brookline, which is hosting its fourth US Open.
Scott has played every single Major since the 2001 Open Championship, which David Duval won in the height of Tiger Woods’ prime.
Jack Nicklaus owns the overall record with 146 Majors in a row from 1962 to 1998.
But Scott’s only Major win to date was his historic 2013 Masters win at Augusta National. When asked, Scott’s Majors streak appeared to remind him of his strike rate. The Queenslander owns a second place at the Open Championship (2012), a tie for fourth at the US Open (2015) and a third placing on two occasions at the PGA Championship.
“It’s one of those things, if you look deep enough through the stats, you can find stuff,” Scott said. “In some ways, I’m proud of my longevity in the game, generally. I’ve been a top-50-ranked player for most of the past 20 years and I’ve played all these tournaments and Majors without being injured.
“As far as my streak of Majors… I’ve managed my schedule and my body well to keep going. Right from the start of my career, I had some good guidance with the physical training aspect and injury prevention.”
Scott, who turns 42 next month, has enjoyed a remarkable career highlighted by being the first Australian to win at Augusta, as well as 14 PGA Tour wins and a stint as world No.1. Last week he was also named as a member of the Order of Australia on the Queen’s Birthday celebrations.
But Scott is the first to admit he will only be satisfied with his legacy if he can become a multiple Major champion, just like Perth’s Minjee Lee did by winning the US Women’s Open recently for her second Major.
“I’m very hungry for a second Major,” Scott said defiantly. “I’m not out here to make up the numbers even though sometimes my results look like I am.
“I’ve prepared the best I can for this week and I have to take myself to a place where it’s do or die. At this point, I don’t have 84 more Majors. I need take myself to a place where I play like it’s my last ever tournament.
“I have to have a gladiator mentality; win or die and I need to stay in that place for four days. If I can take myself to that level of focus, then I know I have the physical tools to win a Major again.”
Scott said he loved the rustic look of The Country Club at Brookline, one of the founding courses of the United States Golf Association which runs the US Open.
But he was tight-lipped when asked about his game plan for the Boston course.
“I think I’ve really got a good strategy for this week,” Scott said. “I have played enough rounds and figured my plan out early.
“I’d like to say [my game plan], but I’ll save it for later in the week when I’ve won,” he added with a grin.
Scott is one of seven Australians in the field at the US Open, joined by world No.6 Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, Min Woo Lee, Jed Morgan and Todd Sinnott. Scott is playing with superstar Jordan Spieth and Max Homa for the first two rounds.
