100 not out: Scott's consolation after US Open crash
Exemption to a magnificent 100th consecutive major championship is the silver lining to Adam Scott's latest crushing collapse.
Scott's late fade in "near unplayable" conditions from a share of the lead on the 12th hole to a tie for 12th at the US Open adds to the list of agonising finishes for Australia's former world No.1.
It was not quite as dramatic as Scott's meltdown at Royal Lytham in 2012, when he had one hand on the famous Claret Jug only to blow a four-shot lead with four holes to play to gift Ernie Els the British Open trophy.
His latest near miss was more a death by a thousand cuts as the beastly Oakmont Country Club lived up to its reputation as the most demanding course on the US Open rota.
Scottish runner-up Robert MacIntyre was the only player on the water-logged course after a 68-minute storm-forced suspension to shoot under par during the final round.
Playing in the final group, Scott and third-round leader Sam Burns carded 79 and 78 respectively.
Yet both were still right in the thick of contention, just one stroke off the lead, before having their winning chances dashed on the 15th hole.
"We must have looked horrible, both of us playing like that," Scott said.
"But that's what can happen in these things. If you get a little off, you're just severely punished.
"It just wasn't easy out there. All things being equal, it's Sunday of the US Open, one of the hardest set-ups and the conditions were the hardest of the week.
"Thank God it wasn't like this all week. Once the fairways were soaked, it was very hard controlling the golf ball.
"The course just couldn't take much more water really. It was borderline unplayable."
After driving supremely all week, when he joined Curtis Strange and Shane Lowry as only the third player in history to start a US Open at Oakmont with three rounds of 70 or better, Scott lamented missing too many fairways on Sunday (Monday AEST).
"I felt better before the rain delay, that's for sure," Scott said.
"I went back out feeling okay but then I left every tee shot to the right coming in, and that was impossible to recover from almost.
"I didn't adapt to those conditions well enough. The water was so close to the surface. Like the shot I hit on 11, it's bizarre. I just don't know, it was like an aquaplane on the ground.
"It's a tough call, but we played. Everyone had to deal with it."
Turning 45 next month, Scott had been bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, and the second-oldest winner ever.
He would also have joined five-times British Open winner Peter Thomson, his idol Greg Norman, who claimed the Claret Jug twice, and David Graham as only the fourth Australian man to capture multiple major championships.
The popular Queenslander had the chance to follow Graham, the 1979 PGA Championship and 1981 US Open champion, as the only Aussie to snare two majors in America.
Alas, the golfing gods once again conspired against him.
But in a small consolation that will have big ramifications for his legacy, Scott is guaranteed a start at next year's Open at Shinnecock Hills courtesy of his top-12 finish in Pennsylvania.
After teeing it up for 96 straight majors, the longest streak among active players, Scott is exempt for next month's British Open as well as the 2026 Masters and PGA Championship.
At least he won't be left stranded on 99.
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