April 30, 2026, Doral, Florida, USA: April 30, 2026, Doral, Florida, USA-Adam Scott of Australia, plays the first tee, during the first round of the Cadillac Championship 2026 at Trump National Doral Miami on April 30, 2026 in Doral, Florida Doral USA - ZUMAsd3_ 20260430_znp_sd3_017 Copyright: xMichelexEvexSandbergx
April 30, 2026, Doral, Florida, USA: April 30, 2026, Doral, Florida, USA-Adam Scott of Australia, plays the first tee, during the first round of the Cadillac Championship 2026 at Trump National Doral Miami on April 30, 2026 in Doral, Florida Doral USA - ZUMAsd3_ 20260430_znp_sd3_017 Copyright: xMichelexEvexSandbergx
Golf can be a tough game, and Adam Scott learned that on Thursday at Doral. He received a two-shot penalty on the eighth hole for playing the wrong ball, finishing his first round with a 4-over 76.
The violation of Rule 6.3(c), playing the wrong ball, was something Scott admitted he had never done in his entire career.
"It's such a silly thing to do," he said Saturday. "An odd set of circumstances leading up to me not checking it, which I think I've done thousands of times."
Flushing It shared Scott's thoughts on X on May 4: "I was so disheartened after Friday's round. My putting was just so bad."
The opening-round error plummeted Scott down the leaderboard, and his Friday 71 provided little initial relief.
Scott then shot 66 and 64 over the weekend without a bogey, second time in his career, finishing T4 at 11-under 277 while going 14-under across his final 36 holes at the same course where he won in 2016.
"That's good playing around here, for sure," Scott said. "Especially yesterday in the wind, I played really, really nicely."
The turnaround had a specific trigger. Trevor Immelman, a CBS Sports analyst and former Masters champion who serves as a second set of eyes for Scott, noticed an issue with his left elbow that affected his putting stroke.
"He noticed a little something with my left elbow," Scott said. "It gave me something to focus on and probably improved my path and face without really having to stress too much about it. So a few more went in, thank you, Trev."
Adam Scott Eyes PGA Championship With Momentum and a Milestone on the Line
The Truist Championship is next, and Scott says it is important preparation before the PGA Championship. If he plays there, it will be his 99th major tournament in a row.
Then in June, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club could become his 100th straight major start. Only Jack Nicklaus has a longer streak, with 154 consecutive starts.
The Doral finish likely secures Scott's top-60 ranking, ensuring U.S. Open qualification. He also knows how special this streak is for him.
"Part of me doesn't want to be the guy who just has all these other things that aren't based around winning events," Scott said. "I would rather win some stuff."
Scott was direct with what it will take.
"To win a major, I'm going to need to put four days together, not just a weekend coming from behind," he said. "I feel like my game is there."
Trending slideshow: 2026 PGA Tour Priority Ranking: Full List of PGA Championship and U.S. Open Winners Eligible
Eknoor Juneja
2026 PGA Tour Priority Ranking: Full List of PGA Championship and U.S. Open Winners EligibleEvery major victory on the PGA Tour does more than deliver a trophy. It quietly shapes a player's entire future schedule by unlocking priority access to the biggest events. For 2026, that edge matters more than ever as past PGA Championship and U.S. Open winners secure their spots at the highest level. Here is the full priority ranking and who earned it through those historic wins. Michele Eve Sandberg/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoLee Trevino won 6 big tournaments during his career. This included 2 PGA Championships in 1974 and 1984. He was popular in the 1970s and 1980s because of his personality and his skills on the greens. His past wins still matter in the 2026 system. He is eligible for PGA Tour events even though he stopped playing competitive golf a long time ago. Paul Hennessy/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoJustin Thomas won the PGA Championship 2 times. His first win was in 2017 at Quail Hollow, and his second was in 2022 at Southern Hills. He has earned over $50 million in his career and has been ranked No. 1 in the world. His 2 wins in this tournament keep him high in the 2026 priority rankings. Michele Eve Sandberg/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoJ.J. Spaun earned his high ranking by winning the 2025 U.S. Open. He won the title at Oakmont Country Club by making a 64-foot putt on the final hole. He turned professional in 2014 after graduating from San Diego State University. His win in 2025 gives him a 5-year exemption to play in PGA Tour events through the 2030 season. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/ImagoScottie Scheffler won the Masters in 2022 and 2024. He has been the number 1 player in the world for a record-breaking period. While he had a difficult week at the 2024 U.S. Open, his continued dominance and multiple Masters titles keep him at the very top of the PGA Tour priority system for 2026. Michele Eve Sandberg/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoXander Schauffele won 2 titles in 2024. He won the PGA Championship at Valhalla and the Open Championship at Royal Troon. Before these wins, he had finished 2nd in several other major events. These 2 victories in 1 year give him high-priority status for the 2026 season and several years after. Brenton Tse/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoGary Player won 9 big titles during his career. He won the PGA Championship in 1962, 1972, and 1978. He is one of only 5 golfers to win all 4 of the modern top tournaments. His victories from decades ago still give him a place in the current PGA Tour priority system. Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution TNS/Newscom World/ImagoJack Nicklaus won 18 big titles, which is the record in golf history. He won the PGA Championship 5 times between 1963 and 1980. He was the most successful player in the sport for over 20 years. His record gives him a lifetime spot in the priority rankings for the 2026 season. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/ImagoBobby Nichols won the PGA Championship in 1964. He beat Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus by 3 strokes at the Columbus Country Club. His win came during a time when the biggest names in golf were at their peak. Because he won this title before 1970, he keeps a permanent spot in the PGA Tour priority system today. David Perry/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoCollin Morikawa won the PGA Championship in 2020 at TPC Harding Park. At 23 years old, he was one of the youngest players to ever win the tournament. He followed this with a win at The Open Championship in 2021. These 2 major titles and his high standing in the 2026 FedExCup points list give him a very strong position. via Aflo Sport/ImagoBrooks Koepka is a 5-time major champion. He won the PGA Championship in 2018, 2019, and 2023. He also won back-to-back U.S. Opens in 2017 and 2018. His recent major success and status as a past champion ensure he stays at the top of the PGA Tour priority list for the 2026 season. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/ImagoAl Geiberger won the PGA Championship in 1966 at Firestone Country Club. He is also known as "Mr. 59" for being the first person to shoot that score in a PGA Tour event in 1977. His victory in 1966 allowed him to remain eligible for tour events in the past winners category of the PGA Championship. Bob Owen/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoRaymond Floyd won 2 PGA Championships, first in 1969 and again in 1982. He also won the Masters and the U.S. Open for a total of 4 major titles. He is famous for his longevity in the sport, having won tournaments across 4 different decades. His status as a past champion gives him a lifetime spot in the 2026 PGA Tour rankings. via Icon Sportswire/ImagoMatt Fitzpatrick is currently the number 1 player for points in the 2026 season. He won the U.S. Open in 2022 at Brookline and recently won the 2026 RBC Heritage in a playoff. His recent success has kept him as the overall leader on the tour. He is fully exempt for all tournaments this year because of his major win and top ranking. Fran Caffrey/Golffile/ImagoWyndham Clark won the U.S. Open in 2023 at the Los Angeles Country Club. He finished with a score of 10-under-par to earn his first major title. Since that win, he has consistently finished in the top 10 of many tournaments, including several Signature Events in early 2026. His 2023 victory secures his high position in the priority rankings. Petter Arvidson/Bildbyran/Imago
