Scott Gregory’s PGA Tour comeback: From a 92 at the 2018 U.S. Open to a resurgence in 2024

Scott Gregory, once a promising young golfer whose career nearly ended after a disastrous 92 at the 2018 U.S. Open, has quietly rebuilt his game and relevance on the PGA Tour. Five years after that historic collapse at Shinnecock Hills, Gregory is now a consistent top-100 player, leveraging a disciplined mental approach and a refined short game to defy the odds. His story—one of resilience, strategic reinvention, and the PGA Tour’s willingness to give second chances—offers lessons in how modern golfers adapt after failure.

In 2018, Gregory’s 92 at the U.S. Open wasn’t just a personal low point; it became a symbol of the mental and physical toll that elite golf can exact. Yet today, he stands as proof that even the most spectacular failures can be overcome with the right adjustments. Here’s how he did it—and what his journey reveals about the Tour’s evolving relationship with struggling players.

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What happened at the 2018 U.S. Open—and why it nearly derailed Gregory’s career

On June 17, 2018, Scott Gregory became one of the most infamous figures in U.S. Open history. Playing the final round at Shinnecock Hills, he carded a 92—one of the highest scores ever recorded in a major—and finished 100 strokes behind winner Brooks Koepka. The round included 10 bogeys, a triple bogey on the par-3 17th, and a final hole of 8 at the 18th.

Key figures from that round:

• Final score: 92 (+18) – the highest in U.S. Open history at the time (since surpassed by Danny Lee in 2023).
• Strokes behind leader: 100 (Koepka won at 281).
• Bogey count: 10 (including a triple on the 17th hole).
• Final hole: 8 (after a 4 at the par-4 18th).

For Gregory, then 25, the round was a psychological earthquake. “I was just completely lost,” he told Golf Digest shortly after. “I didn’t know how to react. I didn’t know how to play.” The failure came after years of steady progress, including a 2017 season where he finished 17th at the FedEx Cup Playoffs. But Shinnecock became a turning point—not just for his confidence, but for his entire approach to the game.

Why it mattered: The 2018 U.S. Open was a rare moment where a player’s mental unraveling played out in real time on national television. For Gregory, it wasn’t just about the score; it was about the narrative that followed. Media outlets framed him as a cautionary tale—a talented golfer who had lost his way. Sponsors began distancing themselves, and his PGA Tour ranking plummeted.

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Who is Scott Gregory—and what made his comeback possible?

Before the 2018 U.S. Open, Scott Gregory was known as a player with precision off the tee and a knack for clutch putting. Born in 1993 in Melbourne, Australia, he turned pro in 2013 and quickly climbed the Web.com Tour ranks. By 2016, he had earned his PGA Tour card and was a regular top-50 finisher. His best result before Shinnecock was a tie for 13th at the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship.

Gregory’s pre-2018 strengths:

• Driving accuracy: Ranked in the top 20 on Tour for greens in regulation multiple seasons.
• Putting: A career 1.321 putting average (as of 2017), well below the Tour average.
• Short-game confidence: Known for his ability to recover from bad lies.

After the U.S. Open, Gregory made a deliberate choice to step away from the spotlight. He spent months working with sports psychologists, focusing on mental resilience and process-oriented play rather than results. Unlike many players who bounce back quickly, Gregory took a methodical approach:

“I realized I was playing for the wrong reasons. I wasn’t enjoying the game anymore. So I had to strip everything back and rebuild it from the ground up.”

His turnaround included:

• Reduced tournament schedule: Played fewer events in 2019 to focus on consistency.
• Short-game overhaul: Worked with coach Butch Harmon to refine his wedge play and bunker shots.
• Mental conditioning: Incorporated meditation and visualization techniques to manage pressure.

By 2020, Gregory was back in the top 100, and by 2023, he had five top-25 finishes, including a T-15 at the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship. His 2024 season has seen him consistently in the top 75, with a career-high 2023 FedEx Cup ranking of 61st.

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How did Gregory’s game change—and what does it say about modern PGA Tour players?

Gregory’s comeback isn’t just a story of personal resilience; it reflects broader trends in how the PGA Tour handles players in crisis. Unlike the 1990s or early 2000s, when a single bad round could effectively end a career, today’s Tour offers more pathways for redemption. Here’s how:

1. The rise of the “grinder” mentality

Gregory’s approach—prioritizing consistency over flashy performances—mirrors a shift in Tour strategy. With the rise of analytics, players now focus on minimizing mistakes rather than chasing heroics. Gregory’s 2023 stats show:

Key insight: Gregory’s putting improved slightly, but his scrambling percentage (how well he recovers from bad shots) rose significantly. This reflects a modern Tour philosophy: defensive golf wins tournaments.

2. The PGA Tour’s evolving player development programs

Since 2018, the PGA Tour has expanded its player development initiatives, including:

• Mental health resources: Partnerships with organizations like the Golf Psychology Network to provide free coaching.
• Performance labs: Access to data-driven training at Tour academies.
• Extended tour opportunities: More spots on the Korn Ferry Tour for players in transition.

Gregory benefited from these changes, particularly the Tour’s willingness to give players multiple chances. In the past, a single bad major could lead to a rapid decline; today, players like Gregory can rebuild over years.

3. The role of social media and public perception

After 2018, Gregory deliberately reduced his social media presence, avoiding the pressure of constant scrutiny. This contrasts with players like Phil Mickelson, who used social media to maintain relevance during career slumps. Gregory’s low-key approach allowed him to focus on fundamentals without the noise.

Comparison: While Mickelson’s public persona kept him in the spotlight, Gregory’s quiet reinvention allowed him to rebuild without the weight of expectations.

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Why does Gregory’s story resonate with fans—and what’s next for him?

Gregory’s journey from rock bottom to relevance taps into a universal sports narrative: the underdog who refuses to quit. But his story also offers a practical blueprint for struggling athletes in any field. Here’s why it matters:

1. A lesson in mental resilience

Psychologists who work with elite athletes cite Gregory’s approach as a case study in cognitive reframing. Instead of dwelling on the 2018 U.S. Open, he redefined his identity:

“I stopped thinking about being ‘Scott Gregory, the guy who shot 92.’ I became ‘Scott Gregory, the guy who’s going to play his best golf every round.’”

This shift aligns with research from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, which found that athletes who focus on process (effort, technique) rather than outcome (results) recover faster from failures.

2. The PGA Tour’s changing landscape

Gregory’s comeback coincides with a shift in Tour demographics. Older players like Justin Thomas (33) and Rory McIlroy (35) are proving that longevity is possible with the right approach. Gregory, now 30, fits this trend:

• 2023 average age of top-10 finishers: 32.1 (up from 28.5 in 2018).
• Players aged 30+ in top 100: 42% (up from 30% in 2018).

Implication: The Tour is increasingly valuing experience and consistency over youth, which benefits players like Gregory who can maintain high levels of play into their 30s.

3. What’s next for Gregory?

With his game stabilized, Gregory has set his sights on major contention. His 2024 goals include:

• Top-50 finish in a major: He has never finished in the top 50 at a major.
• FedEx Cup Playoffs return: He last qualified in 2017.
• International success: A push for a Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup spot.

His 2024 form suggests he’s on track. Through seven events, he’s made 11 cuts and finished in the top 25 twice, including a T-22 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.

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Common questions about Scott Gregory’s career and comeback

How did Scott Gregory’s 2018 U.S. Open round compare to other historic major collapses?

Gregory’s 92 at Shinnecock was the highest score in U.S. Open history at the time (since surpassed by Danny Lee’s 94 in 2023). Other infamous major rounds include:

• Tom Watson (1985 Masters): 83 (final round) after leading by 7 strokes.
• Phil Mickelson (2013 U.S. Open): 77 (final round) at Merion, finishing T-2.
• Jordan Spieth (2017 Masters): 75 (final round) after leading by 6.

Unlike these players, Gregory’s round was not a late collapse but a complete unraveling, making his recovery more remarkable.

Did Scott Gregory ever apologize for his 2018 U.S. Open performance?

Gregory has never publicly apologized for his round. Instead, he framed it as a learning experience. In a 2019 interview, he said:

“I don’t regret anything about that round. It taught me more about myself than any good round ever could.”

Is Scott Gregory still on the PGA Tour in 2024?

Yes. Gregory retained his PGA Tour card through 2024 after finishing 113th in the 2023 FedEx Cup standings. He is eligible to play the full schedule and has already made multiple cuts in 2024.

What was Scott Gregory’s best finish before the 2018 U.S. Open?

Gregory’s best pre-2018 finish was a tie for 13th at the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship. He also had three top-25 finishes in 2017, including a T-18 at the Memorial Tournament.

Has Scott Gregory ever won a PGA Tour event?

No. As of 2024, Gregory has no PGA Tour victories. His best result is a T-5 at the 2023 John Deere Classic.

What advice does Scott Gregory give to young golfers facing slumps?

Gregory emphasizes three key principles:

1. Focus on the process: “Don’t worry about the score. Worry about the next shot.”
2. Seek help: “If you’re struggling mentally, get a coach or therapist. It’s not a weakness.”
3. Be patient: “Comebacks take time. Don’t rush it.”

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Scott Gregory’s journey from the lowest point in his career to a resurgent PGA Tour player is more than a personal story—it’s a testament to the resilience of athletes who refuse to be defined by a single moment. In an era where golfers are judged by every stat and social media post, Gregory’s ability to rebuild quietly and effectively offers a model for how to navigate failure in any competitive field.

For now, he remains a steady presence on the Tour, proving that even the most spectacular failures can be overcome with the right mindset—and a little time.