Defending champion provides unique insight into Georgia venue, both on and off the course.
It was a classic case of something written in black and white on a transcript being used to convey a completely different message, and Scottie Scheffler would not have been amused by how his comments about golf’s ongoing fractured state in a pre-Masters chat were relayed by some media outlets.
“If we want to figure out why the game of golf is not back together, go ask those guys,” he said in response to a query about the players competing in the breakaway LIV Golf League.
“Go to wherever they are playing this week and figure out when the game is going to come back together.”
As always, the world’s number one wasn’t being confrontational because he’s simply not that type, and while some may argue that he’s a little boring, this correspondent would disagree based on having either been in the same room listening to him or doing so via video call several times over the past few years.
Scheffler, like many other players I’ve met over the years, has gradually come out of his shell since bursting onto the scene in spectacular fashion three years ago, and, while he’ll never be an all-dancing, all-singing sportsman, the 28-year-old is very likeable and open at the same time.
As evidenced by the lengthy response he gave to another question asked in the same press conference organized by Augusta National Golf Club ahead of Scheffler’s second defence of The Masters title, having won his first Green Jacket in 2022 and coming out on top again in the season’s first major last year.
It was asked of him if he had a favorite site on the property because Augusta National is such a wonderful place, and if he had any personal customs he loved to follow on each return trip there.
“I usually come in on Sunday morning,” he explained, addressing the second half first. “I normally present an award at the Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship. That’s usually a great thing for me to do, and Augusta National enjoys it as well.
“Then, on Sundays at The Masters, past champions are allowed to bring a friend to play. Last year, it was one of my sisters, and I believe my mother will join us this year.
“So I believe that day is a fantastic day for me to soak up being back at The Masters, appreciate the memories, and have some fun with a family member or close friend while enjoying the golf course and the day before the work week begins on Monday.
“As for my favourite area on the property, I’m not sure I have one. I believe the most memorable moment for me is when you pull into the gates.
When you pull in, it feels like we’re entering an other planet, and everything else just fades away. I forget about a lot of things that are going on. I just kind of get in tune with trying to play golf and getting ready and prepared to play on the golf course.”
He suddenly remembered that he has a favorite area. “Outside of the locker room,” he said with a smirk. “There’s a tiny patio above, and you can kind of loop around to the other side and have a little view of the first tee, No. 10, and the golf course, which is a pretty amazing little area to sit and watch.
I sit up there and watch what’s going on, and no one knows I’m there.
“Just sitting there, watching the throng, enjoying the sights and sounds of Augusta, and no one knows you’re there, which is really great. “I sort of gave myself away with that one.”
While lifetime grand slam chasing Rory McIlroy tries to figure out a winning recipe at The Masters, Scheffler has two victories in only five appearances and has finished in the top 20 in three other starts.
“Why does my game work so well at Augusta National?” “That’s a good question,” he admitted. “I think the golf course is quite difficult. You have to navigate your way around the course, and I’ve done an excellent job of doing that over the last several years, hitting the right shots when necessary, and maintaining control of my ball.
“I believe the best way to express it is that when I’m in control of my golf ball, I have a really excellent strategy for playing the course. But, at the end of the day, you need to make the shots. That’s how it is at Augusta. I could speak about it all day about where to play it and what type of shot to make.
“But if you don’t make a shot, you will be punished out there. And in recent years, I’ve been making the shots I’m aiming for.”
How does Augusta National vary from other PGA Tour venues in terms of the inventiveness required to shape shots? “I would say that there’s definitely an aspect to that,” he told me. “The golf course changes a lot from soft to firm greens. We’ve got some wind throughout the last couple years.
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