Despite being six strokes behind the leading pack at the halfway mark of The Players Championship, world number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, cannot be dismissed lightly. Scheffler, who has had a lackluster season compared to his stellar performance in 2024, found himself trailing by seven shots after the third day, following a 72 that left him tied for 16th.
The 28-year-old golfer’s performance has not improved significantly since day two, despite expectations that the windy conditions at TPC Sawgrass would play to his advantage. Notably, Scheffler bagged the 2024 Players Championship title after starting the final round five shots behind the leader, thanks to a spectacular finish that saw him make three birdies in his last three holes of the third round.
During a post-round interview on Saturday, Scheffler hinted at the need for a remarkable performance to secure his third consecutive victory at Sawgrass. “Maybe do something crazy tomorrow,” he suggested, acknowledging that he needs a strong start to the final day after a frustrating finish to the third round.
Detailing his struggles on the course, Scheffler explained how his shots were not landing accurately, and the wind conditions seemed to exaggerate his misses. Despite these challenges, the world number one remains optimistic about putting up a good fight on the final day.
Interestingly, Scheffler’s performance on Saturday did not provide him with any new insights for a potential comeback. He admitted to having played the course in even harsher wind conditions in the past.
One critical moment that hurt Scheffler’s scorecard on Saturday was his decision to take a risk on the 12th hole that resulted in his ball finding the water. Reflecting on this, Scheffler acknowledged the gamble backfired. “I felt like taking on a little bit of risk, and this time I paid the price for it,” he commented.
While Scheffler’s chances of emulating Jack Nicklaus with a third win at the event might seem slim, his ability to rally as demonstrated at the WM Phoenix Open could make the final day at Sawgrass more challenging for leaders like J.J. Spaun and Bud Cauley.
In conclusion, despite trailing by a significant margin, the world number one golfer has not given up just yet. Known for his resilience and ability to stage remarkable comebacks, Scottie Scheffler is one to watch as The Players Championship heads into its final day.
