Adam Scott Longshot, but Ready to Win at US Open

If bettors are looking for a longshot to put money on in this week’s US Open, Adam Scott might be a good pick. The Australian is a 30/1 selection according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Ladbrokes has the one-time major championship winner at 33/1.

When the US Open was last held at Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2010, Scott missed the cut. It is arguably his hardest major. Since 2010 he has missed the cut in four Grand Slam events. Three of those have been at the US Open, including the last two years.

But Scott believes he is a different golfer this year. He has worked on several parts of his game.

“I’ve changed a lot of stuff, I have to say,” Scott said. “Hopefully there’s some consistency to come now.”

Work Paying Dividends

Scott hasn’t won since 2016, when he won two events back to back, the Honda Classic, and the WGC Cadillac Championship. The following year, though, he had four top-10 finishes in 16 events. In 2018, he had three top 10s, and three missed cuts.

“It wasn’t like I was just playing horrible, but I just really couldn’t get anything to go my way,” Scott said. “If I did something good, the other part of my game was ordinary. And I guess that had gone on for a while. And it takes its toll on the brain.”

Last year was so bad that Scott wasn’t even eligible for the US Open. He had to play in a 36-hole qualifier. He shot an opening round 66, followed it up with a 73, and earned one of the 14 spots to play at Shinnecock Hills.

He almost didn’t bother with the US Open, but decided that it was too important to miss.

“It was definitely pride,” Scott said. “I wanted to be at the U.S. Open. Unsatisfied just mailing it in and sitting on the couch when I could have been given a start.”

He missed the cut, shooting rounds of 78, 75, but despite the two over par rounds, Scott felt like he had found something that was missing. Scott went on to finish tied for 17^th at the Open Championship, then followed it up with a third at the PGA Championship.

Momentum Rolling Along

His strong play has continued this season. In 12 events he already has five top 10s, including a tied or eighth at the PGA Championship. He was in contention for the Memorial Tournament before ultimately finishing second.

One part of Scott’s game that contributed to his high finish was his chipping and putting.

“I thought my short game was really good when I needed it this week. I can’t just rely on hitting every fairway and green,” Scott said. “It’s a very different setup at Pebble than here, much smaller targets, and I’m going to try to rely on every part of my game to be good there, and I feel it is good.”

Last week Scott skipped the Canadian Open, instead heading to Pebble Beach to try and prep for the US Open. Coming close at the Memorial, but not winning, might actual work in his favor.

“Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t win this week, and I’m going to be a little more focused over the next week and want it a little more,” Scott said. “I want it pretty bad.”