Cameron Davis defeated childhood hero Adam Scott in a sudden-death playoff at US Open final qualifying, potentially denying his fellow Australian a chance to keep his 23-year majors streak alive.
Davis and former Masters champion Scott were tied at seven-under after 36-hole final qualifying at the site in Springfield, Ohio.
The Aussie duo needed to enter a playoff for the fourth and final spot offered at Springfield Country Club.
Scott chipped in for birdie on the first extra hole, before Davis matched his birdie. After both made par on the second extra hole, Davis struck a laser approach into the third playoff hole and drained the birdie putt to send Scott packing.
“Adam has been an idol of mine growing up and to play great golf against him was special, hopefully he still finds a way in [to the US Open],” Davis said.
“I was not aware [of Scott’s majors streak], but I wouldn’t have tried any less. Damn, it just goes to show how good a player he is. I had to hit a cracking shot to get on top of him. Fingers crossed we can both be there.”
Scott’s major streak is the longest among active players.
Scott, who has played 91 consecutive major championships since the 2001 Open Championship, is currently ranked world No.60. He is right on the cut-off number for qualification for next week’s championship at Pinehurst.
But he isn’t in the field for this week’s Memorial Tournament, putting his ranking in danger of sliding, although USGA officials are yet to decide if the spot in the field held by Grayson Murray, who was ranked 58th before his death last month, will be filled.
Scott entered qualifying in a bid to keep his majors streak alive. He can also get into the field as the first alternate from the Springfield qualifying site.
Davis was playing the US Open qualifier because he is ranked world No.68 and well outside the top 60 who gain entry to Pinehurst. Although unlike Scott, Davis is scheduled to play the Memorial Tournament this week.
“[Pinehurst] is one of those courses you have grown up seeing multiple times; you just want to get out there and see what it’s like,” the 29-year-old said. “Great golf here is a great stepping stone to playing great golf there. It’s going to be a completely different golf course – and we’ve got a completely different tournament next week which will be very different to the week after. I’ve got to adjust from where I’m at now for next week and then hopefully the legs are still fresh and we can turn around and play some great golf the week after. I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity and I’d love to take it with both hands.”
Davis was the only Australian to earn a spot through Final Qualifying on Monday with Daniel Gale (Ohio State University Golf Club), Rhein Gibson (Duke University Golf Club), Harrison Crowe (Canoe Brook Country Club), Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman, Karl Vilips (all Woodmont Country Club), Aiden Didone, Scott Hend (both The Bear’s Club), Harrison Endycott (Cherry Hill Club) and Grant Booth, Matt Jones and Wade Ormsby (all Lake Merced Golf Club) all missing out.
