Few Aussies but watch out next year, says Scott

ADAM Scott has assured Australian golf fans that the smallest US Open contingent from Down Under in 16 years is nothing to worry about.

Just five Australians will tee it up at Erin Hills in Wisconsin – the lowest number since three, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby and Peter Lonard, contested the 2001 event.

While world No.12 Scott, No.3 Jason Day and No.35 Marc Leishman were eligible courtesy of their rankings position, only Nick Flanagan and Wade Ormsby joined them through qualifying events.

But 2013 US Masters champion Scott points to a production line of classy young Australian golfers as the rea- son why the small representation at Wisconsin’s Erin Hills this week is not concerning.

Scott was glowing in his endorsement of the next crop, having played practice rounds with US PGA Tour rookies Brett Coletta and Curtis Luck, both 20, as well as 19-year-old Ryan Ruffels, this year.

“There are a lot of Aussies playing around the world and everything is cyclical,” he said.

“We could have 12 Aussies next year (at the US Open) and we’ll be raving.”

Queenslander Cameron Smith’s breakthrough US tour victory at the Zurich Classic team event in April didn’t carry world ranking points for the world No.142 to be eligible.