For many, Scottie Scheffler is playing the best golf by a pro since the days of Tiger Woods – and his rivals have heaped praise on the world No. 1 ahead of the U.S. Open.
Scottie Scheffler emphasized the importance of receiving praise from his fellow competitors, expressing gratitude for the compliments given by Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, and Jon Rahm before the U.S. Open.
Scheffler has been in exceptional form since March, securing five wins in his last eight tournaments, which include the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship, The Masters, the RBC Heritage, and the Memorial. Additionally, he finished tied for eighth at the dramatic PGA Championship.
McIlroy humorously suggested that the only way to halt Scheffler’s success was to lock him up for an hour, alluding to the American’s previous arrest at Valhalla. Despite this, the 27-year-old appreciates the supportive comments as he prepares to face his competitors at Pinehurst No. 2 this week.
“It’s always refreshing to receive positive feedback from my fellow players because, let’s be honest, we all enjoy teasing each other when we’re out there competing. It’s all part of the camaraderie. So, hearing some compliments every now and then definitely feels great.
One particular memory that holds a special place in my heart is when I was chosen for my first Ryder Cup team. It meant a lot to me because I was still establishing myself as a player on the Tour and hadn’t secured any victories yet. The fact that my peers believed in me and voted for me to be on that team was truly humbling. It was a significant milestone in my career, and I will forever be grateful to those guys for giving me that opportunity.”
I am grateful for the friendships I have formed here, and I find great joy in playing and competing with these individuals. It is truly enjoyable.
During the interview on Tuesday, McIlroy was questioned about the remarkable run of form displayed by Scheffler. In response, McIlroy expressed his admiration by describing it as relentless. He emphasized that every time Scheffler competes, he becomes the one to beat, and rightfully so. McIlroy also highlighted Scheffler’s consistent performance, as he has only finished outside the top 10 once in the 13 or 14 tournaments he has played this year. It appears that Scheffler is always in contention, showcasing his impressive skills.
Last week at Memorial, the highlight was definitely when he nailed the triple on 9. People were thinking he might falter, but he managed to regain control, scoring some birdies when necessary. Without a doubt, he’s currently the top player in the world by a significant margin. Now it’s our turn to step up our game and reach his level.
DeChambeau shared a similar feeling. The previous U.S. Open winner confessed that he sought advice from Scheffler upon reaching Pinehurst.
DeChambeau expressed his admiration for the player, stating, “Upon seeing him, I couldn’t help but be impressed by his exceptional performance on the golf course. I couldn’t resist asking him about his secret. To which he casually replied, ‘I’m just playing good golf, you know. It’s one of those things.’ However, in my opinion, he possesses a remarkable level of mastery over his golf swing. Additionally, he has successfully deciphered many aspects of his putting technique.
From what I have observed, he employs a highly strategic approach to his game. He doesn’t take unnecessary risks but rather executes the perfect shots at the opportune moments. He demonstrates great control not only over his own game but also over the overall conditions of the golf course. He possesses an in-depth understanding of how the golf ball will behave and reacts accordingly.”
When everything falls into place, he has the ability to correct the situation swiftly. It’s a winning formula, and he has been able to execute it for a longer period than anyone else. Currently, he sets the benchmark for excellence, and we all admire him, thinking, “Okay, how can we reach that level?”
Prior to pulling out of the U.S. Open due to a foot infection, Rahm praised Scheffler. Rahm, who won the Masters in between Scheffler’s two victories at Augusta, thinks that the comparisons to Tiger Woods show how impressive Scheffler’s performance is.
Rahm expressed his amazement at the remarkable achievements of the individual in question, stating, “It is truly remarkable to witness what he has managed to accomplish.” Rahm further acknowledged that throughout the years, there have been exceptional ball strikers who have emerged. However, being compared to Tiger and his extraordinary accomplishments signifies reaching an exceptional level. The individual’s ability to secure victories in five tournaments within a single season, including prestigious events like Bay Hill, PLAYERS, Masters, RBC, and Memorial, is akin to replicating a season of Tiger Woods. Witnessing such a feat is truly fantastic. Rahm also commended the individual for consistently delivering outstanding performances and doing what is necessary to succeed in the game of golf.
It’s always inspiring to see someone perform exceptionally well, especially when you’re a competitor yourself. As a golf enthusiast, it’s truly amazing to witness such incredible talent on display.
Don’t miss the chance to follow Scheffler as he joins forces with PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele and McIlroy for their U.S. Open campaigns on Thursday, June 13th.
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