Inside Adam Scott’s Oval Office meeting with United States President Donald Trump

When the doors slam shut on the Oval Office and it’s just United States President Donald Trump in his natural habitat, what’s he really like? Funny? A little bit mad? Completely outrageous?

When the doors slam shut on the Oval Office and it’s just United States President Donald Trump in his natural habitat, what’s he really like? Funny? A little bit mad? Completely outrageous? Just like he is on whatever social media platform is his go-to for the day?

“I think what you see in the media in his press is like a slightly toned-down version of him, believe it or not,” Scott smiles. “I think he’s actually trying to tone it down. He’s a mile a minute, exactly (as you would expect).”

The day Scott walked into the White House with Tiger Woods and commissioner Jay Monahan as part of a PGA Tour delegation to end the infighting in men’s professional golf, Trump’s aides started placing the United States and Israel flags in position as their meeting wrapped up.

President Donald Trump with Adam Scott and Tiger Woods in the Oval Office. Picture: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Scott knew whatever issues there were in golf were of little importance. It’s just a sport. Still, Anthony Albanese would crave the kind of access Scott has had to Trump this year.

Months on, and Scott’s golf game is getting better and the PGA Tour-LIV Golf impasse only seems to get worse. Or at least going nowhere fast.

It’s been more than two years since they announced an agreement to work on a solution to end global golf’s civil war, and there’s still nothing meaningful. LIV Golf is back in for rankings points, the PGA Tour is back to doing what it has always done, albeit with some tweaks.

“What I took out of that visit was the amount of energy that (Trump) was putting into everything he does. It was noticeable,” Scott says. “I think ultimately (professional golf) will all come together, but I don’t know when that is.”

Tiger Woods and Adam Scott are both part of the PGA Tour delegation tasked with ending the civil war with LIV Golf. Picture: AAP Image/Rob Prezioso

It would have been natural to think Scott, who celebrated his 45th birthday on Wednesday with fans singing to him at one point as he played a practice round at Royal Portrush, would see his game regress as he focused more on the business side of the PGA Tour. It’s been the opposite.

This week at The Open, he’s playing his 97th consecutive major, a remarkable feat beaten only by Jack Nicklaus (146) in professional golf history.

“I think he’s played every major since (The Open) in 2001, which to me is absolutely mind blowing,” said world No. 9 Ludvig Aberg in an ambassadorial appearance for Mercedes-Benz.

“It means he’s good enough to qualify for the events and he’s been healthy and fit, never been hurt. He’s obviously taken good care of himself. Those things are really important and really impressive.

“If I can do somewhat along those lines in my career, I’ll be happy.”

Says Scott: “I’ve played a lot, but I’ve won one. My strike rate’s not good. So, if I was a young guy, playing a lot’s good, but winning a lot would be good too.

“I’ve worked hard to keep myself in this spot and I really don’t have any results to show for how good I feel like I’ve played this year, which is part of golf and frustrating. I hope I can do this for another 10 years, but it only gets harder and harder.

“So, this week’s my best opportunity to win a major. The last two majors I’ve been in contention with a few holes to play and it’d be nice to be in a similar position this week.”

Adam Scott is competing at his 97th straight major. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

Scott was in the final group at the US Open last month, but after a lengthy last round weather delay at Oakmont in treacherous conditions, crashed on the back nine to finish tied-12th.

It was such a good week, and such a deflating week. He played “old man par golf” for so much of it, and at the end of it just had to accept defeat (Trump might have claimed victory, though).

Arguably, Scott is the best hope of the nine Australians in the field this week in Northern Ireland.

Cameron Smith is trying to break out of a majors funk. Jason Day is still hoping his body will be 100 per cent healthy. Min Woo Lee admits he didn’t quite process his maiden PGA Tour win in the United States properly. The list goes on.

Like Trump, Scott just wants a second run at it – when everyone else wonders whether he’s past his best.

Originally published as Inside Adam Scott’s Oval Office meeting with United States President Donald Trump