The last six majors have been won by players who had never previously won a major.
Winning the first one is tough. Getting the second can be easier, or harder, depending who you ask. Only 37 players have won two career majors, compared to 135 one-timers.
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Adam Scott won his first major four years ago at the Masters. It came at age 32 and after more than a decade on tour. He’s still waiting for his second.
“My real focus on actually believing I could win a Major was cut short, even though it took me a long time,” Scott said Tuesday from Erin Hills. “It was only in ’11 that I really started performing well in Majors and I actually had a real belief inside me that I would do it. So it was only a couple of years, and it’s been longer than a couple of years since I won the Masters.
“I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated, but if we’re having this conversation in another year, maybe.”
Scott has taken a different approach recently in an effort to add his name to the list of multiple-Major winners, playing the week leading into a Major as opposed to taking it off like he has done in the past. In the first Major of the year, he tied for ninth at the Masters.
“I’m seeing progress in my game where I want it,” Scott said, noting the sharpness of his long irons. “This is the week I want to peak. I’m glad to see my long game at the level I like to see it, especially here at this course where it will be tested more than anywhere else this year probably. And generally my short game improvements this year have been good. So it would be a great week to put it all together and show those improvements in my short game when it’s needed around here.”
As for the trend of first-timers? It’s anyone’s guess.
