A question mark hangs over the future of golfing star Scottie Scheffler following a less than stellar start to 2025. It seems hard to believe that the player in question was hailed as the 2024 PGA Tour Player of the Year. His performance in recent games is a far cry from the formidable opponent who was always a threat on the greens.
A Christmas Day injury in 2024 seemed to herald a turning point for Scheffler, known as Mr. Inevitable for his impressive track record. His return to the game, although miraculous, has been marked by a lack of the spark that saw him clinch seven titles the previous year. His fellow players, once fearful of his uncanny ability to rise from obscurity in the last rounds to snatch the title, now witness a player seemingly more frustrated than formidable.
Scheffler’s on-course behavior has become a subject of speculation, with the golfer displaying uncharacteristic tantrums following a series of disappointing strokes. On paper, his T9 and T3 finishes in Signature events might seem impressive. However, a closer look reveals a player who is a shadow of his former self. The golfing prowess that saw him dominate the 2024 Masters Tournament seems to have dimmed, but it’s too soon to say that his passion for the game has waned.
In a bid to recapture his winning streak, Scheffler has participated in three back-to-back PGA Tour events, albeit without clinching a win. He declined the trip to VidantaWorld to participate in the 2025 Mexico Open, and has also withdrawn from the upcoming Cognizant Classic tournament. His fans are left wondering when they will see the golfing heavyweight in action next.
The answer lies in the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational — an event Scheffler has committed to and is slated to defend his title. All going well, fans can expect to see the 28-year-old at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge between March 6-9, 2025. This will be an opportunity for Scheffler to clinch his third title at the event.
Looking back at Scheffler’s performance in the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational, he had an impressive run, outpacing his closest rivals Shane Lowry and Wyndham Clark to secure the title. His fourth round kicked off with a birdie, giving him a 2-stroke lead, and he went on to score five more birdies, ending with 15-under par 273. Scheffler’s impressive performance saw him complete the 72 holes with five fewer strokes than the rest of the field.
However, defending the Arnold Palmer Invitational title is no mean feat. The last player to do so was Matt Every, 11 years ago, who only has two career titles to his name, both from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2014 and 2015. Tiger Woods, another golfing legend, managed to retain the title twice, in 2008/2009 and 2012/2013. His most memorable streak came between 2000-2003 when he won the tournament four times in a row. As comparisons between Scheffler and Woods continue, it remains to be seen if Scheffler can emulate the success of the 82x PGAT winner. Only time will tell whether Scheffler is ready to reclaim his title at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
