Adam Scott's recent disappointing performance, which saw him fall from a shared lead to a tie for 12th, provides a small silver lining. This finish, behind US Open winner JJ Spaun, adds to the list of agonizing near misses for the Australian golfer.
This latest setback, though not as dramatic as his 2012 British Open collapse, was a slow burn. The challenging Oakmont Country Club lived up to its reputation, making the final round particularly difficult. Scottish runner-up Robert MacIntyre was the only player to shoot under par after a storm-related delay.
Scott, playing in the final group, and third-round leader Sam Burns struggled, carding high scores. Despite this, they were still in contention, just one stroke off the lead, before their chances diminished on the 15th hole. Scott described the conditions as "borderline unplayable" towards the end of the round.
Scott reflected on the difficult conditions, noting the saturated fairways and the difficulty in controlling the ball. He mentioned that the course couldn't handle much more water. He also acknowledged that he didn't adapt well to the conditions, particularly with his tee shots.
With his 45th birthday approaching, Scott was aiming to become the oldest US Open champion since 1990. He also hoped to join a select group of Australian golfers who have won multiple major championships. Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed.
However, a positive outcome of his performance is that Scott is guaranteed a spot in next year's Open. This top-12 finish in Pennsylvania secures his place. After a long streak of consecutive major appearances, he is now exempt for the upcoming British Open, as well as the 2026 Masters and PGA Championship.
0 Comments