When the U.S. Open begins on Thursday Adam Scott will complete the remarkable feat of having started in 100 consecutive Major Championships.
It was three days after his 21st birthday, July 19 2001, at 1.25pm that the Australian stood on the first tee at Royal Lytham & St. Annes alongside the great Tom Watson and Vijay Singh and began a streak that is almost unfathomable in the modern game.
In the 9,100 days between that tee shot and his opener on Thursday, the Australian has become a Masters champion and a World Number One on the course and a husband and father off it.
He has seen four US Presidents and played in 11 Presidents Cups, he was there for nine of Tiger Woods’ Majors and all of Rory McIlroy’s, while racking up 20 Major top tens of his own.
Now, a month shy of his 46th birthday and still in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking, it is no surprise that the unassuming Scott would rather focus on his game than the noise around his achievements.
But he does admit to his pride in reaching the milestone and has no intention of stopping at a century.
“I've thought about it over the last couple of weeks, obviously this week getting closer,” he said. “I found it difficult at first reflecting on something while I'm still playing. I think I've never really been one to dwell on milestones. I think it's something I'll probably do at the end of my career.
“However, it's resonated a little bit more with me the last few days, and from people close to me, to my sponsors and partners, I'm so appreciative of everyone recognising this. It's a strange one because it's not something you really set out to do or aim for.
“But in all honesty, since Pinehurst a couple of years ago, it kind of was on my radar. Earlier this year, as I wasn't automatically qualified for this event, it became a bit of a weight on my shoulders making sure I got here.
“A certain level of focus has been required over the 25 years to maintain, I'll call it golf at this elite level, Major Championship level. It has taken a lot of focus to do that.
“I think there are lots of little things you could break down after that, but I'm quite proud that I've managed to keep my focus this long and keep pushing through. Obviously not all years and all weeks out here are easy and you're playing full of confidence. I managed to keep it all together for a long time.
“I love playing golf at this level and it's really all I know how to do. So I'm going to keep trying to do my best for as long as I possibly can.
“I had a photograph with Jack Nicklaus a couple of weeks ago at his Memorial Tournament, and he's the other guy who made it to a hundred in a row. He, in fact, made it way past that, and I can't even think about playing another 11 or 12 years straight of these, but I'm really excited for this week.”
Scott’s longevity means that he is one of just three players this week, along with Pádraig Harrington and Justin Rose, who also played the U.S. Open at Shinnecock in 2004, with Rose also featuring alongside him in 2018.
He missed the cut on both of his previous visits but is confident the links-style and potentially windswept Long Island layout can suit him and the other more experienced players in the field.
“I've played four practice rounds and I came with a blank slate,” he said. “It's funny how when you play poorly at an event, you can forget about what went on, and I really don't remember much of 2018 from a playing perspective.
“Came here excited on Thursday and really felt like I had a fresh look at the golf course and a fresh take and felt comfortable straight away. I think the green complexes aren't dissimilar to playing into Royal Melbourne style greens. At least that's what I'm telling myself, and that's a comfortable place for me.
“I'm looking at it with a fresh set of eyes this week and feel like I'm much more prepared at this point than I was at the last two here.
“I've put my three iron in the bag this week. Sometimes I have a nine wood in the bag. I'm not afraid to admit I use a nine wood, but I don't think it's going to be as effective this week certainly with the wind.
“I think there's a few iron shots off tees and just controlling that flight in the wind a little bit more with the three iron, I think, will be helpful.
“The firmer running courses generally take the length advantage out of it because the shorter hitter will get some length, and the longer hitters kind of have to play back.
“Once the ball is moving on the ground, having great control of the golf ball and strategising around a golf course becomes a big part of that.
“I think guys like Tiger obviously, but Padraig as well, just are so experienced and understand how to work their way around a golf course. And, of course, they're Major champions, multiple Major champions, and they know how to do it under pressure, as well.
“They're the kind of things, although I'm not a multiple Major champion, but at this point, when it comes down to being in contention, hopefully the strategy and experience I can use to my advantage.”
