Scottie Scheffler is the total package — he drives it long, pretty darn straight, hits incredible irons shots, has a superb short game and even more mind-boggling — he’s one helluva good putter.
The new world’s No. 1 has all the tools and on top of that, in the past few months he’s discovered how really good he can be.
We’ll spare all the boring details from Sunday’s finale at the WGC Match Play. Suffice to say his semi-final match with Dustin Johnson was compelling for about an hour but that’s it. His final match with Kevin Kisner wasn’t much of a contest. Kisner never won a hole and Scottie finally closed him out, 4-and-3.
When the new Official World Golf Rankings come out today, there will be no more Jon Rahm at the top. Nope. Scottie, with that impressive week at Austin Country Club, jumped from No. 5 all the way to the top. Rightfully so.
In his last five events, Scottie’s won three of them — Phoenix, the Arnold Palmer Invitational then this grind of a week at match play. Last time we checked, Rahm hadn’t won since the 2021 U.S. Open. We were long due for a new guy at the top and Scheffler fits the bill nicely.
He’s a better putter than Rahm and Morikawa and can match either one in ball-striking. He can dance all around Viktor Hovland when it comes to the short game. Scottie has a complete short game, an imaginative short game and when you consider how far he hits the ball — well, against Kisner, it wasn’t a fair fight.
All those gambling sites may want to re-work their odds for The Masters in two weeks. Tough to find anyone more suited for a Green Jacket this year than Scheffler.
Scheffler had to fight harder than anyone just to make it to the round of 16. He tied with European Ryder Cupper Matt Fitzpatrick in Group 5 with 2-1-0 marks, each scoring two points. It took Scottie six holes of a sudden death playoff to dispose of young Matty Fitz.
This one was a crowd pleaser for the folks there in Austin. Scottie is a Dallas kid who played at the University of Texas and the team spent more than a few rounds practicing back in the day at Austin Country Club. Scottie Scheffler (he’s only 25) has good priorities. After shaking Kevin Kisner’s hand, he asked the young lady from NBC: “Do you mind if I wait one second?” He wanted to share the moment with his entire family and friends. They were all waiting with hugs and tears.
Then came his time on camera.
“I really don’t know what to say,” he said, overcome by the moment. “I’m just really pleased. It’s a tough week, a long week. I’m pretty worn out right now.” Scheffler said the difference this year was that he had more energy. “I think last year I got worn down.”
Later, at the trophy presentation he did reflect on reaching No. 1 in the world.
“I never got that far in my dreams,” he said as he wiped away some tears. “I just play golf. I love competing. I’m happy to be out here, you know?”
Yes, this new No. 1 fits the bill and then some. Big fella — 6-foot-3 and plenty strong. Smiles easily, seems unflappable.
In a tense moment, late in the match with Kisner at the par five 16th, he absolutely flubbed his third shot, a seemingly simple chip shot. It went straight right and into a greenside bunker. It looked like there was a crack in the door for Kisner.
All Scheffler did was collect himself. He then holed out the bunker shot for birdie.
Any questions?
4 Comments
baxter cepeda
Yes a few questions.
But first congrats Tom on going out on such a limb predicting Scottie to win this week.
BUT Remember when some people thought the top 3 to 5 from last year would never change?
Remember someone saying all these top guys have weaknesses, making them vulnerable at the top? That was me.
Well now I really am wondering where Scotties weakness are. Maybe slowly drifting boats? That was more annoying then one of my Sunday playmates constantly standing on the other side of the flag…as if I don’t know exactly what he is doing.
Anyhow, There doesn’t seem to be one weakness with Sheffler. Tom mentioned many of Scotties strengths. He is clearly super well coached technically from driver to putter.
But what really stands out is his beautiful mind for golf. He is truly unshakable.
The only remaining question would be if he can stay hungry. Winning a third event in what 4 tries? Kind of answers that question.
He isn’t the sexiest but he is root-able. As Scotties pops said, he is a man the world of golf can be proud to have as number 1. No disrespect to Anyone, but Scottie may the closest thing we are going to get to golfs total package.
Call him the gentleman assassin.
If he wins the Masters…all i can say is OMG. There’s gonna be a lot of big names who used the match play and all these recent events to prepare for the Masters more than trying to win, maybe hitting draws when they shouldn’t or whatever.
Some even skipped the match play altogether—an event where they have had success— so they could work on their weaknesses for the Masters… ahem, Rory.
But as we have learned one of the best ways to enter the Masters is with a dub.
Scottie has 3, and a pretty big 3 at that. The most populated tournament, the Kings Invite, and now my 5th major (not that there should EVER be a 5th major) in the match play.
What can you say other than good luck to everyone else?
Tom Edrington
Scottie’s my favorite for the Masters
baxter cepeda
Early prediction.
He has a t19 and t18. So not a rookie, which is important.
Gonna be though to beat.
But I’m gonna hold out on my prediction.
See who’s playing officially first.
Tom Edrington
We’ll put our Masters picks together for the feature next Monday