Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, finished a disappointing 20th at last week’s Players Championship. As the reigning champion, he had the opportunity to equal the great Jack Nicklaus’ record of three Players titles. However, his performance fell short of expectations, and it wasn’t his golfing skills that grabbed the headlines.
Renowned golf analyst, Ryan Lavner, observed a strikingly ‘odd’ change in Scheffler’s demeanor during the tournament. Despite a relatively solid start with scores of 69 and 70, Scheffler’s performance over the weekend was lackluster, with rounds of 72 and 73, a departure from the dominant form he’s known for.
Yet, it was Scheffler’s uncharacteristic frustration, rather than his golfing performance, that raised eyebrows. Lavner noted that the usually unflappable golfer showed a level of exasperation on the course that was unusual and spoke of a deeper issue. “He seemed baffled by some of the winds and breaks he had, and was noticeably grumpy and short-tempered with some of the media members,” Lavner said, suggesting that this could be indicative of Scheffler’s current mental state.
Although some slack might be given to Scheffler due to the hand injury he suffered earlier in the year, his recent displays of frustration are concerning. Lavner believes that Scheffler’s mental state could be a significant factor in his performance in upcoming tournaments, including the Masters, where he is the defending champion.
Lavner remarked, “He has been commendable in stating that ‘I’m only judging myself and the expectations on myself are higher than anyone can place on me’. But it seems that he is feeling the weight of external expectations, and when his performance isn’t up to par, he seems to be reacting negatively.”
Rex Hoggard, another seasoned Golf Channel contributor, shared Lavner’s concerns, noting that Scheffler, usually laser-focused and unflustered, appeared distracted during the Players Championship. He speculated that the pressure of trying to secure a third title, coupled with the anticipation of the upcoming Masters, may have affected Scheffler’s mindset.
“It’s surprising to see him let external distractions affect him. Even when he performed well, he seemed ahead of himself, not in the right mindset,” Hoggard stated.
Scheffler’s recent displays of frustration, coupled with his under-par performance, have put his mental state under the spotlight. Only time will tell if he can regain his composure and defend his Masters title successfully.