NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Quietly, there’s a milestone happening at this week’s PGA Championship.
Adam Scott is playing in his 99th consecutive major league game. He has qualified for next month’s US Open at Shinnecock, which would be his 100th.
The only player to compete in 100 or more consecutive major tournaments is Jack Nicklaus, who played 36 of 146 consecutive years.
“I don’t know what to do about it,” said 45-year-old Scott. “I mean, part of me doesn’t want to be the guy right now who has all these other things that aren’t based on winning events. I’d rather win other things, and let’s celebrate winning the US Open than just playing in it.
“I feel that way, but I can give myself a pat on the back for hanging in there and playing all these events. I think there’s a bit of luck in it, but I think I’ve had good advice in general around me in terms of physicality and training that’s kept me healthy and injury-free.”
Scott won one major, the 2013 Masters, which earned him a lifetime exemption. But because his exemption from other majors for winning the Masters ended after five years, Scott had to qualify for them – usually that meant staying in the top 50 in the world.
His impressive run began in 2001 at the British Open, which was won by David Duval, who has been retired for years. Scott turned 47 that week, not even knowing that his entire career started there.
For context, Tiger Woods has never played in 100 majors. Phil Mickelson has played more than 100, but he has never played 52 in a row. Sergio Garcia played in 82 consecutive majors before missing the 2020 Masters due to COVID-19.
“It’s not just about maintaining your health but maintaining that level of play,” Jordan Spieth, who has played 51 in a row, said of Scott’s pursuit. “What a testament to being in good health, doing things right, and being that good for a long time.”
Scottie Scheffler, despite his No. 1 in the world, tired of being a bridesmaid. He enters this week’s PGA having finished second in his last three appearances – the Masters, the RBC Heritage and the Cadillac Championship.
“I think it was last week my wife [Meredith] it’s like, ‘Hey, Scottie, you’re like the first guy in PGA Tour history to have three championships in a row,’ ” Scheffler said. He didn’t finish second in all three.’ “
“The least of it is bitter,” Scheffler continued. “Finishing second in a golf tournament isn’t bad – especially as I’ve done in a few tournaments. [where] I could see a lot of guys having strokes over the weekend, especially the Masters.”
Scheffler has struggled with slow starts in the opening rounds this season, something he will have to look into Thursday.
“Finishing second is painful, but I think that if you think carefully and look at the things you have to work on, there is much less to clean up when you finish second than there is when you finish 30,” he said.
Rory McIlroy, who ended nine-hole practice after three holes on Tuesday because of a blister on the pinky toe of his right foot, played the full nine Wednesday, along with good friend Shane Lowry.
McIlroy’s plan was to wear a shoe half a size larger than his usual size to relieve pressure on the blister.
Each of the past 10 PGA Championship winners has been American, beginning with Jimmy Walker’s 2016 win at Baltusrol. … Winners of 11 of the past 12 PGA Championships ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the world sometime before or after their PGA title. … Each of the past nine PGA Championships has been won by a player with multiple majors on his resume.
The players with the most strokes gained under par in the past four majors entering the week are Scheffler at 35 under par, Xander Schauffele at 13 under and McIlroy at 12 under.
