Scottie Scheffler Confesses

Scottie Scheffler’s Disappointing Second Round at the US Open: A Reflection on Preparation

Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, faced an unprecedented challenge during the second round of the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2. For the first time in his professional major career, Scheffler failed to make a single birdie, carding a 4-over 74, which brought him to 5-over par for the tournament. This lackluster performance saw him barely make the cut.

Scheffler admitted to feeling unprepared for the event. “I was not as prepared as I could have been,” he revealed in an interview with Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis. His struggles with the putter, a recurring issue from last season, were particularly pronounced during the second round.

The US Open is renowned for its tough conditions, but Scheffler’s score was particularly surprising given his recent form. He had secured five victories in his last eight starts and appeared to be in control leading up to the event.

Reflecting on his preparation, Scheffler noted that he did not play the week before his previous major wins, including The Masters in April. In contrast, he competed in the Memorial Tournament just before the US Open, winning it in a close finish against Collin Morikawa. This marked a significant deviation from his usual approach.

Scheffler missed the Wells Fargo Championship prior to the PGA Championship due to the birth of his son, Bennett. This break seemed beneficial as he finished in the top 10 at the PGA despite a tumultuous week.

The scheduling of lucrative $20 million signature events by the PGA Tour, both before and after majors, has sparked mixed reactions among players. Scheffler is now reconsidering his preparation strategy for majors, emphasizing the need for adequate rest and preparation. He cited his rookie year experience when playing consecutive events before The Masters left him fatigued.

Looking ahead, Scheffler intends to reassess his preparation approach for majors, potentially avoiding playing the week prior. He emphasized the importance of thorough preparation and expressed regret over not adhering to this strategy for the US Open.

Scheffler will begin the third round alongside Cameron Young at 10:01 a.m. on Saturday, starting 10 shots behind leader Ludvig Aberg. The two-time Masters champion will aim to capitalize on the fresh morning greens as he seeks to improve his position in the tournament.

The unexpected challenge at Pinehurst No. 2 has underscored the importance of strategic preparation for Scheffler as he continues his quest for major victories.

Key Points:
– Scottie Scheffler failed to make a single birdie in the second round of the US Open, a first in his major career.
– He admitted to a lack of preparation, having played the week before the tournament.
– Scheffler plans to reevaluate his preparation strategy for future majors.
– The PGA Tour’s scheduling of major events has influenced his approach.
– Scheffler will begin the third round 10 shots behind leader Ludvig Aberg.

As Scheffler looks to regain his form, his reflections on preparation highlight the delicate balance required to excel at the highest level of professional golf.