Icon’s cheeky dig as Adam Scott reaches his insane milestone
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When Adam Scott strikes his first tee shot in the opening round of the US Open, he will join possibly the most exclusive club in sport.
The first hole at Shinnecock Hills is a 360m par-4, and as he makes his way down that fairway on Thursday night (AEST), he will do so having just become only the second player in history to compete in 100 consecutive majors.
Adam Scott will play his 100th consecutive major at this weekend's US Open. Getty Images
Jack Nicklaus is the only other member of the club. He played in 146 consecutive majors between 1962 and 1998.
Coincidentally, Scott’s 100th consecutive major – and 101st in total – comes just a fortnight after he played in Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament.
Scott was able to find a quiet moment to speak to The Golden Bear, and even get a photo. Still razor-sharp at 86, Nicklaus couldn’t resist a cheeky dig.
“He kind of congratulated me, said it’s a great achievement … and we talked about longevity,” Scott told Australian media including Nine.com.au.
“I said: ‘Don’t worry, I think your record’s pretty safe’, and he told me, ‘I know’.”
The numbers behind 100 majors and 25 years
Scott made his major debut at the 2000 British Open at The Old Course at St Andrews. He missed the cut, but got to play a practice round with Tiger Woods. He admits he had no idea what he was doing, what he was in for, and just how different a major was to any other tournament.
He missed the next three majors, and began this incredible streak at The Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2001, where he made the weekend and finished 47th.
It’s one incredible achievement to qualify for 100 consecutive majors, it’s another to stay fit and competitive enough for 25 years to be able to play in 100 consecutive majors.
For context, Woods’ longest streak was 46, and Greg Norman’s only 21. Tom Watson played in 87, and Sergio Garcia 84.
Jordan Spieth holds the next longest active streak of major appearances behind Scott at 52, with the US Open to be his 53rd.
It should come as no surprise then in 100 majors there were a couple of iffy moments for Scott – and they all seem to be at the US Open.
He played the 2008 edition with a broken finger that had been slammed in a car door. He still made the weekend, and finished in a tie for 32nd.
It looked like he was going to miss the 2018 edition when his ranking was too low to earn him automatic qualification, but he managed to fight his way into the field through gruelling qualifying tournaments.
Then in 2024 it really did seem like the streak would come to an end. He was ranked No.61 in the world – the top-60 gained automatic qualification. He had missed out on qualifying and was probably putting the beers on ice to watch the tournament from his couch before his reprieve came through tragic circumstances.
Grayson Murray’s death created a spot in the field, and as the player next in the queue, Scott got the call-up.
‘I didn’t know what I was doing’
There is no doubt Scott’s victory at the 2013 Masters is the highlight of his career.
But when asked by Nine.com.au for another personal favourite, Scott said his home triumph in the 2009 Australian Open.
Scott talking to media ahead of the US Open. Getty Images
The obvious reason might be because it was his first victory on Australian soil since turning professional, but the real reason was darker.
“The month leading up to that was a huge turning point in my career,” he said.
“2009 had been the worst year of my career – I played really poorly … I was a bit lost, looking back. I just didn’t know what I was doing.
“I think I missed six cuts in a row – most of them by one, but a missed cut by one may as well be a missed cut by 20 – that’s how it feels.”
Indeed, statistically, 2009 was a shocker.
After starting out well enough with a top-20 and a tie for second at the then-traditional season-openers in Hawaii, his form plummeted, and he missed the cut in 10 of the next 17 tournaments he played, including three of the four majors. He missed six-straight between March and May.
For those unfamiliar with golf prize pools, the money is only paid out if you make the weekend. Scott’s status wasn’t nearly high enough at the time to demand appearance fees – not on the PGA Tour anyway – so those missed cuts meant he had zero income, but a bucketload of expenses.
But that weekend at New South Wales Golf Club, everything came together for him. He carded an even-par 72 in the final round to beat countryman Stuart Appleby by five strokes.
“The confidence I took out of winning in Australia, the national championship, was huge,” Scott said.
Scott made the cut in 10 of the following 12 majors, and finished second twice.
He led the 2012 Open by four strokes with four holes to play, but dropped shots at each of them to lose by one to Ernie Els.
It only hardened him for what was coming the following April.
Scott salutes the crowd after sinking the winning putt at the 2009 Australian Open. Steve Christo SMH Sport
Playing in the final group in the fourth round at Augusta, Scott was three shots behind Angel Cabrera as they made the turn. He made birdies at 13, 15, and then 18 to force a playoff.
In a steady drizzle, Scott won his green jacket – to-date his only major victory – on the second hole of the playoff.
Surprisingly, Scott said he probably doesn’t reflect on that win as much as he should, but hopes that will change as his three kids Björn, Byron and Bo Vera, grow and become old enough to understand the achievement.
“It’s all incredible memories … the level of my golf at that time was really outstanding,” he said.
“I’ve started sharing the Masters a little bit with my kids. They’ve caddied for me in the par-3 tournament … they’re really good feelings.
Scott and caddie Steve Williams after he sunk the winning putt. Getty
“Looking back at it, I’m actually a little surprised I haven’t really got it going around Augusta since winning, and it’s not for a lack of trying. I thought I’d be able to get in contention a little bit more, but it’s proven difficult.
“But I’m going back for many more years, and while I’m still fit and healthy, I think there’s chances for me.”
‘I can figure the strike rate out’
As special as this milestone will be, Scott said he would absolutely trade it for a second major title.
He’s come close on several occasions. He had two more top-fives at The Open and the PGA Championship in 2009, and has nine other top-10s since.
At last year’s US Open in Oakmont, he was in the final group before his final round was derailed by a lengthy weather delay.
“Even with my maths, I can figure the strike rate out,” Scott said with a laugh.
Scott during the 2025 US Open. AP
“I’d love a better record, for sure. I’d love to be a multiple major champion.
“Everyone’s journey is different, but I feel like physically and mentally, I’m still in a good enough place to contend and get across the line. A few things need to go your way, but I’m putting the work in.
“I feel like this kind of course at Shinnecock is right up my alley. There’s shades of some Melbourne Sandbelt around there, some strategy, some patience, some discipline to not fire at pins, or not try and bite off too much of the golf course, even though it looks like you can.
“I’m feeling good … I’ve finally started seeing the putter perform the way I want it to. Everyone who plays golf knows if you’re feeling pretty good with the putter, it’s all going to be OK.
“This week is going to be brutally difficult, no doubt, and it’ll test everyone’s patience.
“But, these are the weeks – in adverse conditions or in mental tests – where I feel some of this experience can pay off.”
Scott’s 100th consecutive major will begin at 10.03pm on Thursday night (AEST).