The China Mail - At 100th major, Aussie Scott sees best as yet to come

The 45-year-old Australian, who missed the cut in his major debut at the 2000 British Open, placed 47th at the 2001 British Open and has not missed a major since.

"My head's still really in, like I should be able to compete and win these things, so maybe I don't see it as much of an accomplishment," Scott said of his streak and 100th overall major.

"I'll give myself a pat on the back, but I would love to still win."

World number 43 Scott, whose only major triumph came at the 2013 Masters, needs to be inside the top 60 in world rankings after the major showdown at Aronimink to qualify for the US Open and reach 100 consecutive majors -- a streak beaten only by the record run of 146 by Jack Nicklaus from the 1962 Masters through the 1998 US Open.

"I don't know what to make of it. I mean, part of me doesn't want to be the guy yet who just has all these other things that aren't based around winning events," Scott said. "I would rather win some stuff and let's celebrate winning the US Open than just playing in it.

"I think there's some luck in it, but I think I've had generally great advice around me from a physical and training standpoint that has kept me healthy and pretty much injury free. I don't really have niggles and things that are concerning, certainly not to the point of can I play this week or not."

Scott had his first bogey-free weekend since 2007 last week in a fourth-place finish at Doral, matching his season-best result from Riviera in February.

"To win a major I'm going to need to put four days together, not just a weekend coming from behind," Scott said. "I feel like my game is there. I'm doing all the things I think I need to do to be in that kind of condition.

"(I want to) keep this confidence going and hopefully arrive at the US PGA full of confidence. And four good days and you just never know."

Scott's most recent of 14 PGA Tour victories came at Riviera in 2020 while his first professional victory came at the European Tour's 2001 Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

- 'Thanks, Tiger' -

A quarter-century later, Scott credits 15-time major winner Tiger Woods for pushing him to dream big.

"I think the main thing is really that I probably dreamed loftier goals than was maybe possible when I was a kid. Thanks, Tiger," Scott said.

"I feel like I'm really not that content and I would hate to finish my career not content. I feel like I've put in a lot of good stuff, but I feel like there's something big left within me still. So it's worth pushing."

Scott's mother also gets some of the credit.

"My mum taught me everything in moderation. I don't know if that's good for the highest level sport but it is for longevity. Maybe some of that philosophy has kept me going," he said.

"I work hard. I love it though. I love being in the gym. I love being on the golf course. It doesn't feel like hard work even though I'm putting some hours in."

Scott hopes that means his best is yet to come.

"I think it is, truly," he said. "I know that sounds crazy. But overall, I mean, on a good putting day I think my golf game tee to green and short game is better than ever.

"It feels like my game sits at a high level. I just need to open up the ceiling a little bit somehow and go there."

G.Tsang--ThChM