As the final round approached, Adam Scott stood out as the only player in contention with a previous major championship win, which he achieved at the 2013 Masters after a thrilling playoff against Ángel Cabrera. On Saturday at Oakmont, Scott posted a commendable 3-under 67, closing in on the tournament lead, following a similar performance at Augusta earlier this year.
At age 44, Scott faces significant challenges; he is the oldest among the contenders and often finds himself outdriven by the younger players. Historically, the odds are not in his favour, with no player over 40 winning a major since Phil Mickelson’s victory at the PGA Championship in 2021 and the US Open remaining elusive for anyone over 40 since Payne Stewart’s win in 1999. However, Scott’s extensive experience counts for something, as he uniquely remembers the joy of lifting a major trophy.
In the previous year, Scott secured second-place finishes at two tournaments, including the BMW Championship, but has yet to achieve a top-10 finish in the current season. Reflecting on his recent performance, Scott noted an improvement in his tee shots over the past month, a trend he believes can positively influence the rest of his game. “I’m not exactly firing on all cylinders, but it’s nice to have some confidence going into tomorrow,” he expressed.
Remarkably, Scott is competing in his 96th consecutive major, boasting the longest active streak and the second longest in history, only behind Jack Nicklaus’s remarkable 146-event streak. In stark contrast, the other four players who are under par heading into the last round—Sam Burns, JJ Spaun, Viktor Hovland, and Carlos Ortiz—have collectively participated in just 63 majors.
As Scott chases a coveted second major, the excitement surrounding his performance continues to grow, with many considering his wealth of experience as a key factor in the high-pressure final round.