Scottie Scheffler is trying to become the first back-to-back champion of the Players. Scheffler claimed his sixth PGA Tour championship at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The 50th edition of The Players Championship is almost approaching, with extended coverage live on Sky Sports.
Scottie Scheffler issued an alarming message with his overwhelming victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, leaving PGA Tour stars wondering if he can be defeated in his title defense at The Players.
Scheffler solidified his standing as the world’s number one with a five-shot triumph at Bay Hill, where he overcame a star-studded leaderboard on the final day to win his eighth PGA Tour event in 25 months.
The 28-year-old has been a steady force on the PGA Tour in recent seasons, last making a cut in August 2022 and earning top-12 finishes in 25 of his previous 30 outings, with only putting issues keeping him from becoming a more frequent winner.
Scheffler observed significant improvements on the greens during last week’s victory, which increases his chances of becoming the first back-to-back champion of The Players in tournament history.
Rory McIlroy is Scheffler’s closest competitor in the world rankings, and he won at TPC Sawgrass in 2019, but the distance has become so large that even a victory at The Players would not be enough to end the American’s reign as world number one.
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“Anyone can pop up and win an event here or there or get on a good run, but the consistent performances that Scottie [Scheffler] has been putting in week-in and week-out – every time he tees it up – is incredible,” McIlroy said in a statement.
“His ball striking is, really, on another level than everyone else right now. We knew if he began making putts, this sort of thing would happen.”
McIlroy went on to say, “The play on the golf course has kind of taken a back place to everything else [because of the division in golf], which is unfortunate. If we were in a different situation in the world of golf, Scottie’s golf would definitely receive a lot more recognition and admiration.”
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Scheffler’s performances ‘borderline unfair’
Scheffler played with Shane Lowry on the last day on Sunday, and his six-under 66 forced the Irishman to settle for third and contemplate what it would take to beat him.
“There’s probably only a couple of players in the world who can live with him playing like that,” said Lowry at Bay Hill. “Not sure if I’m one of them! He demonstrated why he is the world’s number one.
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Scheffler was already the PGA Tour leader in a number of measures, including strokes gained, scoring average, and greens in regulation, but switching from a blade to a mallet putter helped him break his winless drought.
“It would be borderline unfair if he starts putting really good,” said US Open winner Wyndham Clark, who placed second to Scheffler. “I never want to wish ill on anyone, but if he starts bringing out positive content every week, it will be really difficult to beat.
“But that is good. It’s just going to motivate me to improve my ball-striking and overall game. He’s kind of the barometer right now, and I have a lot of room to catch up and improve.
Was Scheffler shocked by his own consistency?
Scheffler is currently the pre-tournament favourite to add to his victory count at The Players, having won by five shots last year, but even he is taken away by his sustained PGA Tour success.
Do I surprise myself? I’m sure you’re aware of this on occasion. Scheffler admitted during the Sky Sports Golf podcast. “I put a lot of effort into the game, so it’s good to see such consistent results.
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“That is something I am really proud of, and I believe that is why you have seen such consistent results from me over the previous five years. I put a lot of effort into it [his game], but occasionally I surprise myself.
“It’s thrilling to know that we’re bringing together all of the finest players, and I think it brings me to a different place mentally. I think it’s a unique experience, and it excites me as a competitor.
“I think that’s why you see some good results from me in the bigger events and that’s something that I’m obviously going to hope to continue on as my career moves forward.”
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