The spotlight is on Adam Scott as he racks up 100 consecutive major appearances at the US Open. But it's a number that could get much bigger according to Ian Baker-Finch.
Adam Scott has taken his rightful place in the New York spotlight as he racks up a century of consecutive major appearances at the US Open.
But it's a number that could and should grow, according to Ian Baker-Finch who has lobbied for major championship officials to help keep Scott’s streak going amid glowing praise from players at Shinnecock Hills for the Australian star’s achievement.
Scott though has never been one for fanfare or gone looking for attention and his ambitions to add to his lone major remain a priority, a fact evident every time he discusses a milestone he views as anything but a career endpoint.
Joining Jack Nicklaus as the second player to feature in 100 consecutive majors is nice and separates him from so many of his peers. But adamant he still has much left to achieve; Scott is reluctant to elevate it above his ongoing quest.
“It's an interesting one, as I've thought about it over the last couple of weeks, obviously this week getting closer,” Scott said.
“I found it difficult at first reflecting on something while I'm still playing. I think I've never really been one to dwell on milestones. I think it's something I'll probably do at the end of my career.”
Scott remains adamant he has a lot of golf to play and Baker-Finch, who also won just a single major despite ambitions for more, said that Scott should be in all the majors at least next year and maybe longer.
Baker-Finch didn’t even get to 40 majors himself, and the 1991 Open Championship winner said 100 in a row, viewed through the lens of meeting distinct qualifying criteria every year for a quarter of a century, made Scott’s achievement so much greater.
He said the milestone should be revered and ensure its own exemptions into future events, even though Scott confirmed he didn’t ask USGA officials for special treatment to get to 100.
“I think that because of this record, I think all of the majors will give him another start next year,” Baker-Finch told Golf Australia magazine.
“Even if he did, for whatever reason, drop out of the top 50 in the world, and if he didn't qualify for the next one, because it is such an achievement I'm sure someone would say, ‘Hey, you got to give Scotty an exemption now. Let's keep that run going’.
“I believe they'll keep looking after him if there's one or two that he doesn't qualify for, and so they should. He deserves it. He's always done the right thing.”
Scott is only the second player to get to 100 consecutive majors but is 20th on the list of players to reach a century overall.
Just where he ends up could depend on major officials heeding Baker-Finch’s call, as well as Scott’s capacity to remain competitive at the top level.
He will, however, be welcome to join the field at Augusta National for as long as he’s able. Arnold Palmer played the Masters into his seventies, finally calling it quits at 74.
With 25 Masters appearances already, Baker-Finch said another milestone could conceivably be in Scott’s future.
“You can continue to play until you're not able to play anymore, and by the way, some of the guys have played way past 60 years old,” he said.
“Maybe he could get to 50 as fit as he is, he might play 50 Masters.”
Palmer and Gary Player are the only players to have racked up 50 Masters appearances.
“He might not get them all in a run, but there's every chance he could end up with 130 majors,” Baker-Finch said.
“It's an achievement of significance for Australian golf, and world golf to recognize.
“To stay fit and healthy and relevant, and a top 50 player in the world for a quarter of a century is bloody amazing.”
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