LA JOLLA, Calif. (June 13, 2008) - Adam Scott didn’t think himself out of a U.S. Open like the man made for tragic novels - Phil Mickelson. But if you watched and listened to Scott for two days, you might conclude that’s because Scott is not smart enough to outthink a mole.

Scott’s the No. 3 ranked player in the world has the mental game of a weekend handicapper. And that may be a put down to weekend handicappers.

All the talent in the world and what does Scott do? He manages to four putt 18. No. 18 may be the most exciting hole in U.S. Open history, the ultra rare par 5 finisher and, as you’ll read in a column on the front of WorldGolf.com early this morning, the USGA would be crazy to kowtow to Tiger Woods and take eagle out of the equation on it. But 18 is not a hole you should four putt.

Heck, the No. 3 player in the world shouldn’t be four putting a pool table covered in black ice.

But there Scott was at the end of his first nine (the dream Tiger-Phil-oh-yeah-that-guy group played the back nine first in the second round). His third putt was a gimmie - within 16 inches - and Scott went John Daly at Harding Park and nonchalanted it off the left corner.

Somehow Scott still manged to finish with a 2-over 73, two shots better than perplexing Phil but still tied with Mickelson at 4-over - and out of it - for the Open. It’s almost fitting that the man who outthinks himself and the man who doesn’t think will play together for the third straight day at 11:50 a.m. PST today.

Scott has opened up a little more about his supposed car-door injury. The Australian now says that no he didn’t slam his own hand in the door as his coaches had told reporters, one of his buddies did. While he was in London the night of the Champions League soccer final.

Sorry, I’m sure that’s closer to the story, but any kind of pro athlete logic would make you think it’s still not the complete story. There probably is a great tale behind it involving the Champions League final and his hand that has a little more to it. You know that was a crazy night in London.

Do you really think Adam Scott was smart enough to stay out of that craziness?

If you do, watch the four putt again. Scott can look like a vapid model with his good looks and his stylin duds. It turns out he plays like one too.