Scott facing crunch time

ADAM Scott says fierce competition for US Open spots is motivating him to make a giant leap up the world rankings at the US PGA Tour’s Fort Worth Invitational in Texas this week.

Scott missed out on snaring a ticket to the year’s second major by one shot at last week’s Byron Nelson Championship. A tie for sixth would have done it, but the Queenslander shared ninth and rose to world No.61 — with only the top 60 qualifying for Shinnecock Hills via Tuesday’s worldrankings window.

“I’ve had control of the circumstances but they are very fine lines we’re talking about,” Scott said.

However, the former world No.1 is still well in the frame to continue his active streak in the majors (67), which dates back to the 2001 British Open. Scott will tee it up at the famed Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, having tasted victory there in 2014.

But the 37-year-old knows a stellar result will be needed to climb inside the top 60 and remain there through to the June 11 deadline.

“There are 20 guys sitting around my world ranking capable of great golf,” said Scott, who also has the option to enter 36-hole US Open sectional qualifying on June 4.

“You look at Luke List, he’s having a good year and he’s No.52 in the world — that’s how hard it is to get there.”

Having tied for 11th at the elite Players Championship two weeks ago, Scott earned consecutive top-15 finishes for the first time since February 2016 and is feeling good about his quest. “This is a good start to having a great back end of the season and I still think I can have a really good year,” he said.

Joining him in the field at Colonial are fellow Australians Aaron Baddeley, who is temporarily using accomplished caddie Steve Williams, as well as Rod Pampling, John Senden and Cameron Smith.

Headlining the field are three-time major winner and Dallas native Jordan Spieth, Players Championship winner Webb Simpson, Justin Rose and world No.4 Jon Rahm.