Caddie Ted Scott to help Scottie Scheffler Win at Travelers Championship

Scottie Scheffler is set to rely heavily on his caddie, Ted Scott, at TPC River Highlands for this week’s Travelers Championship. While Scheffler, with five wins already this season, hardly needs much assistance, he is looking for a comeback after a “frustrating” U.S. Open where he tied for 41st. This final Signature Event of the season presents an opportunity for redemption in New England.

“This is a course where Ted [Scott] has had a lot of success,” Scheffler remarked on Wednesday. “If there’s a difference of opinion, I’m probably going to lean more on him because I haven’t found as much success here as he has.” Scheffler acknowledges that while he may rely more on his own instincts in other tournaments, at TPC River Highlands, Scott’s course management expertise is invaluable.

Scott, before joining Scheffler’s team and helping him secure two Green Jackets at Augusta National, was the caddie for Bubba Watson. Watson, like Scheffler, has won The Masters twice within three years. Notably, Scott guided Watson to three victories at TPC River Highlands, the venue for this week’s championship. Watson’s initial win here in 2010 came in a playoff against Scott Verplank and Corey Pavin. He triumphed again in 2015, outlasting Paul Casey in a two-hole playoff, and secured a more comfortable three-stroke victory in 2018.

In contrast, Scheffler’s top performance at TPC River Highlands was a tie for fourth last year. Despite impressive 7-under 63s on Thursday and Saturday, a par 70 on Friday held him back from challenging Keegan Bradley, who won at 23-under. Scheffler’s history here includes a tie for 13th in 2022 and 47th place in 2021, following a missed cut in his 2020 debut.

While Scheffler has shown he can play well on this course, recent “mental fatigue” has prompted him to depend more on Scott’s experience. Scott’s insights into course management, such as club selection and targeting, are seen as crucial. Scheffler expressed his trust in Scott, stating, “Whatever he says seems to go for me in my head, just because he’s had the success, he has the pedigree, he knows where to put the ball and where not to put the ball.” Scott’s history of guiding Watson to victories at TPC River Highlands gives Scheffler confidence in navigating this course successfully.

“Especially when it comes to course management: clubs to choose off the tees, what areas to play into, just because he has seen Bubba win here numerous times and he knows exactly how to get me there,” Scheffler added. As he aims to regain his form, the synergy between Scheffler and Scott will be key to his performance at the Travelers Championship.