After Rory McIlroy’s triumph at The Masters, it seemed like he would be the golfer to beat for the foreseeable future. However, it took just seven weeks for World No. 1 and former Longhorn Scottie Scheffler to remind everyone that he’s still the gold standard.
Since leaving Augusta National, Scheffler has captured three wins, including his third major championship victory at the PGA Championship. What’s even more impressive is how he is winning.
At the Byron Nelson, Scheffler shot 31-under par and tied the PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record of 253 strokes. At the PGA Championship, he won by five shots and stole the souls of top players Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
Scheffler has been winning at a rate not seen since Tiger Woods, and with that comes a lot of chatter about records and career outlooks.
However, when asked about it after winning the PGA Championship, Scheffler seemed unbothered by the talk.
“I don’t focus on that kind of stuff,” Scheffler told The Athletic. “I love coming out here and trying to compete and win golf tournaments, and that’s what I’m focused on. After this week, I’m going to go home and get ready for next week’s tournament, and the show goes on.”
But what is it that makes Scheffler the most unstoppable force in the game?
Scheffler is the best ball striker in the world, and it’s not even close. Last season, and so far this year, Scheffler is ranked No. 1 in strokes gained tee to green. His 2.33 in that category is close to a full shot better than second place Shane Lowry at 1.46 — a bigger gap than Lowry and the 37th ranked player.
His driving and iron play have been his bread and butter since bursting onto the scene, but his putting has held him back. Ranked 162nd on tour in strokes gained putting in 2023, Scheffler climbed all the way to 25th this season, making him a complete player in all aspects of the sport.
But perhaps the No. 1 player in the world’s biggest asset is his mental capacity. In a league where Sunday collapses happen weekly, Scheffler seems immune to them. He carries the same calm demeanor while others around him crumble under the pressure.
After his win at The Memorial Tournament, Scheffler discussed staying in the present. In fact, he said he learned that skill in Austin from his college golf coach, John Fields.
“Coach Fields was the first person that introduced that concept to me,” Scheffler said. “If I’m at the golf course thinking about being at home, I’m probably not going to be focused in my practice, not going to get the most out of it. So I think it’s a daily battle to try and focus on the task at hand, and I think it’s a bit of a living life to the fullest type of thing.”
Now, Scheffler heads to the United States Open at Oakmont Country Club, looking to corral his fourth career major title. If he does, he’s one leg away from completing the career grand slam, a feat only six golfers have ever accomplished. Oakmont is set to present one of the most grueling tests of golf in years, but Scheffler won’t be fazed by that at all.
No matter what happens this week, Scheffler is not letting up anytime soon. The murmurs around him will only grow, but in his mind, he will continue to hear one thing — silence.
Because on the course, nothing gets in the way of Scottie Scheffler.
