Chasing a Century of Majors
While Scott, with a chuckle, noted his sole major triumph at the 2013 Masters, stating it "would be twice as good if there was one more," he acknowledges the significant milestone on his horizon. Assuming he qualifies or receives an invitation, the PGA Championship next year could mark his 100th career major. Should he also make it to Shinnecock Hills for next year’s U.S. Open, he would achieve the rare feat of 100 consecutive major starts.
Such an enduring streak demands both consistent eligibility and robust health, factors that have often curtailed similar runs by other golf legends. For instance, Tiger Woods managed 46 consecutive majors before knee surgery interrupted his run after the 2008 U.S. Open. Phil Mickelson played 61 in a row until he sat out the 2009 British Open due to his wife's breast cancer treatment. The undisputed record, however, belongs to Jack Nicklaus, who played an astounding 146 consecutive majors from the 1962 U.S. Open through the 2008 U.S. Open.
Scott reflected on the rarity of his streak, stating, "Probably whenever it ends, whether it’s 100 or more or less, I think it will be hard for guys to get to that number going forward." He attributed his consistency to a "25-year career" and acknowledged that even he experienced periods of struggle, falling outside the top 50, but managed to rebound. His journey highlights the resilience required to maintain a top-tier presence in professional golf for decades.
Scott has had his share of close calls in the U.S. Open, famously making it through 36-hole qualifying by a single shot in 2018. Last year, he initially failed to qualify but secured an exemption as the 61st-ranked player in the world, benefiting from a spot that became available after the passing of Grayson Murray.
U.S. Open Prize Money and Equipment Testing Insights
For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Open prize money will remain at $21.5 million, with the winner taking home $4.3 million. Despite not increasing, this purse solidifies its position as the largest among the four majors, surpassing this year's Masters ($21 million) and PGA Championship ($19 million), and last year's British Open ($17 million, with next month's total yet to be announced). USGA CEO Mike Whan expressed confidence in their approach, stating, "I feel comfortable that we’ve been a leader in moving fast and bigger," while also emphasizing the importance of investing revenue back into golf development.
In other technical news, driver testing remains a topic of discussion. Xander Schauffele light-heartedly confirmed that both his drivers passed the USGA's "trampoline effect" limits this week. This follows a minor stir at the PGA Championship when reports surfaced about Rory McIlroy's driver failing a similar test due to wear. It was later revealed that Scottie Scheffler's driver also failed for the same reason, necessitating replacements for both players. Whan reaffirmed the USGA's commitment to keeping such test results confidential, emphasizing that the random testing is a service to players and equipment makers to identify when driver faces become too thin from constant use, rather than an implication of rule violations.
Overcoming Environmental Challenges at Oakmont
The Pittsburgh area's unusually wet May has presented challenges for Oakmont Country Club, known for its firm and fast conditions, ideal for a U.S. Open. The prolonged rainfall threatened to create a sloppy environment not only on the course but also in spectator walkways and parking lots. However, USGA CEO Mike Whan lauded Thomas Construction, a local company that provided an immense amount of gravel to create stable paths. Whan comically noted that the company has "no longer has gravel" as "there’s more gravel here than in the quarry right now," ensuring that visitor experience remains unaffected despite the weather.