Scottie Scheffler, the reigning world No. 1 golfer, carries positive momentum into next month’s Masters Tournament. This year, he is intent on making history. Scheffler is looking to join Tiger Woods (2002) as the only players to win consecutive Masters since the event began in 1934. He’s pursuing a historic third green jacket in four years, something only the great Jack Nicklaus has managed to do.
Scheffler’s confidence is fueled by his strong play on tour as of late. He’s obviously coming back, even if he’s not winning quite as frequently as he was last year. He’s on the verge of a ball-striking resurgence back to his best tee-to-green days! Since returning from his injury at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Scheffler hasn’t missed a beat, even his T-9 finish. Since then, he’s started five additional races, never finishing worse than 25th. This even includes two top-10 finishes that prove just how competitive the driver of the #45 is.
Scheffler stated, “I talked a lot about my preparation and stepping up on the tee at Pebble feeling like I wasn’t exactly where I was when I ended the year just because I had taken so much time off.” He admitted that although he didn’t have the best starts to the season, he still feels good about his game moving forward.
It’s not injuries that have plagued Scheffler this season. Over Christmas, he cut his hand on a wine glass while preparing homemade ravioli. While his surgery couldn’t be undone, he did still have to deal with an adjustment period when he got back on the course at a high level again. “This year coming off an injury was definitely a different feeling than I’ve had in the last few years,” he remarked.
Even with those disappointments, Scheffler’s numbers still paint a picture of a player who is getting back on track. He currently ranks third in total strokes gained (+2.55), showing he’s been doing it all at TPC Sawgrass. Undoubtedly, Palmer’s putting was the key to his dramatic improvement at the Houston Open. He leapt up 44 places from his previous appearance at the Players Championship.
Even as the Masters buzz builds, Scheffler’s all business. “Let’s say I get off to a bad start on Thursday, and I can use some stuff that I’ve done here the past few years as confidence to kind of turn things around,” he noted. “At the end of the day, when I step on there on Thursday, we’re at even par, and it’s a totally new golf tournament.”
“Last year means nothing,” he stated firmly.
The next Masters will be a notable proving ground for Scheffler, as he looks to develop a legacy found in legends of the game. He’s got a chance to make history, he’s on a hot streak in form. This go round, once he sets foot on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National again, the eyes will be on him.
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