Finding the Words for Scottie Scheffler

I’ve got a problem.

I have a column to write.

But there are no words – which makes column writing tricky.

I’ve written about Scottie Scheffler on a couple of occasions this year. And now, as we’ve just wrapped up another major championship, it’s time to write about him again. It’s time to find some new words.

Let’s start with TRUTHFULLNESS:

I don’t know what it is about these guys, but every now and then they let their guard down and communicate honest-to-goodness feelings about more than golf. Scottie did that early in the week when he discussed his conflicted feelings about his place in the game. He appreciates it - there’s no doubt about that. He’s grateful for what he’s accomplished but confessed that he struggles with its importance in his life. Actually, he doesn’t struggle. He knows exactly where golf is in his life, especially compared to his wife and child. People have interpreted his statement several different ways, but I took it to simply mean this - he is honestly struggling with how to place what he’s accomplished in the game in his life. The fame is more than he dreamed, and so are the riches. He’s working hard to keep himself grounded and with moments like he shared last week, he seems to be No. 1 in the world on that front as well.

OBSERVANT:

Recently, Scottie talked about playing with Tiger Woods in the final round of the 2020 Fall/COVID Masters. In the final round, Tiger scored a ten on the 12th hole. He wasn’t really in contention, so the blow-up didn’t matter that much. Still, what happened after apparently made a lasting impression on Mr. Scheffler. Tiger went on to birdie five of the last six holes he played. Scheffler said he was impressed with how Tiger puts everything he has into each shot he hits in competition. He went on to say that there wasn’t a moment in the round where Tiger wasn’t going at it 1000 percent. The effort is the point. Scottie works hard at putting in the effort. He’s never forgotten that day.

SURPRISED:

I will admit to being somewhat surprised that Scottie is now three-quarters of the way to a career grand slam. I honestly thought the Open Championship was going to be the biggest obstacle. I saw the variables of weather and the draw as being problems. Well, other than a rainy and windy Thursday, the weather was pretty good, especially over the weekend. That allowed Scottie to play the game the way he wanted - in the air, without anything or anybody to slow him down.

No matter what happens between now and the end of the playoffs Scottie will be the Player of the Year. He has two majors. Sorry Xander Schauffele. I know Schauffele won two last year. They were, in fact, the same two Scottie won this year. That’s just the way things bounce for Scheffler.

It’s 37 weeks until the first tee shot of the 2026 Masters. Then it is 42 weeks until the PGA Championship and 46 weeks before Scheffler will attempt to complete the career grand slam at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills. It will be both Father’s Day and his 30^th birthday. Here’s hoping he stays away from the wine glasses in the of- season. It’s been a memorable year for golf’s major championships and thanks to Scott Alexander Scheffler, history is just beginning to find the words.