In what has now become a long-distant memory, you could almost forget to bring yourself back to the Scottie Scheffler of yesteryear.
Before the Masters’ triumphs and his emergence to the peak of world golf, Scottie seemed no different to any other young pro planning his path on tour.
Talented, yes – but seemingly not out of the extraordinary, the golfing limelight was instead on the likes of Rory, Spieth, Rahm and Justin Thomas.
After all, winning once didn’t come easy to Scottie. It took him 70 PGA Tour starts to earn his first victory – the 2022 WM Phoenix Open in a playoff win over Patrick Cantlay.
But then the floodgates opened. He earned the second of his career at the Arnold Palmer Invitational just three weeks later, before then claiming the WGC-Dell Technologies Matchplay in his native Texas.
Forty-two days on from his first career victory, Scottie soared straight to the top – becoming golfs new world No.1 in what felt like a blink of an eye.
Though now at the peak of the golfing world, many believed this quick success was nothing but a fleeting period – far from sustainable.
With all eyes now firmly placed on the unassuming Texan heading into major season, the 2022 Masters Tournament was to prove a crucial litmus test.
It was one he passed with flying colours.
Holding a five stroke lead through the first 36-holes, Scheffler maintained complete control to claim his first major title by three over a fast finishing Rory McIlroy. It was his fourth win in what were his last six starts.
Far from being just temporary form, Scottie’s success has proved sustainable. While without a major victory in 2023, he did defend the Phoenix Open, before lapping the field at TPC Sawgrass on route to winning the Players by five.
Nevertheless, far from finishing there, 2024 is fast becoming a record year. A second victory in three years at the Arnold Palmer was quickly followed by a successful title defence at the Players.
Scottie entered this years’ Masters not only as the worlds’ #1 – but as a truly dominant force.
But, with that dominance has also come overwhelming pressure and scrutiny.
Not that Scheffler has shown any signs of wilting to this. He was very much in charge all week at Augusta.
A first-round of 6-under 66 was followed by a 72 and third-round of 71. Leading ahead of the final round, would Scottie falter?
No chance. His victory was sure-handed – almost reminiscent of Tiger in his heyday. In all reality, his path to a second green jacket was a comfortable one.
Speaking of Woods – heading into last week he stood alone as the only other player to win the Players and the Masters in the same year. Now he has company in the form of Scheffler.
That’s not the only reason why the Texan is now drawing comparisons to that of Tiger in his prime, but it is a sure sign of his total domination.
The only question now. Can that dominance be maintained?
Tiger did it for twenty-odd years and 15 major titles. That is the type of longevity Scottie now faces.
In saying this, we’ve also had this conversation before.
When Rory McIlroy won his fourth major at the 2014 PGA he became only the third golfer in history to do so by the age of 25.
Rory had always been the one – the swashbuckler who was to become Tiger’s heir apparent.
Though now the face of modern golf (or at least the PGA tour anyways), it’s hard to feel that McIlroy just hasn’t reached the heights we all expected.
A similar fate now faces another Texan in Jordan Spieth.
Securing victory at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, he joined Jack Nicklaus as the only other player to win three of the sports’ four majors by the time of his 24th birthday.
The world was at his feet – but, like Rory, he has also stumbled since.
Scottie, in contrast, has never faced that sense of expectation – and perhaps, that may be one reason why he is now succeeding.
Amongst the names of Speith, Thomas, Fowler, Morikawa and DeChambeau – Scheffler had always been touted among the best of American golfs up and coming. But he was never seen as the one who would be the most successful coming out of college.
He never had the biggest name, nor the greatest of the hype.
Maybe that’s down to his own humble personality. Perhaps down to his own funky swing. Scottie, after all, doesn’t necessarily give the air of a professional golfer – never mind the world’s best.
But then golf isn’t necessarily just about the swing. That helps. But, it’s mostly that space between the ears which matters most.
Just like Jack and Tiger before him, that’s where he seems to excel. Course management is so important to success.
As the adage goes, Scottie plays golf – not golf shot. There’s a big difference.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday evening, world renowned coach Butch Harmon said it best.
“He is a tactician around the golf course. He won this tournament as much with his brain as he did with his clubs.”
This is probably the biggest difference between Scottie and the rest. The ability to pick the right shot, at the right time, all while remaining calm and collected.
It is the type of stuff the greatest are made of. It’s not hyperbole to say it.
Unlike any other in the modern day professional ranks, it is Scheffler’s mental toughness which has become unrivalled.
This is the reason why many believe he can rule the golfing landscape for many years to come.
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