After Poor Judgement Led to U.S. Open Nightmare, Scottie Scheffler to Go All-Out for Third Major Victory

Scottie Scheffler will be missing a few PGA Tour events and for all the right reasons. The world no. 1 had carded his sixth victory in the 2024 season and became the only golfer to follow in Tiger Woods‘ footsteps, as he did in 2009 to win six times in a single season. Scheffler also recorded the highest on-course earnings on the PGA Tour and got $27 million richer because of his incredible wins and finishes.

But soon, the 27-year-old will be putting a mid-season break to all his endeavors on the PGA Tour. Why you wonder? The 12-time PGA Tour winner will be sharpening his skills for the 152nd British Open and avoiding the mistake he made at the 124th U.S. Open.

Scottie Scheffler changes his 2024 schedule mid-season

Winning four out of eight signature events is not a task for a faint heart. On top of that, to further solidify his status as one of the hottest players, Scottie Scheffler won his second major at Augusta National earlier this year. Inarguably the PGA Tour’s best player of the 2024 season, though, will not be seen for the next three weeks on the American circuit, as reported by Underdog Golf on X.

Scheffler will miss the low-field rankings events, the Rocket Mortgage Classic and the John Deere Classic. However, what’s shocking is the third event he will be missing: the Genesis Scottish Open, the event preceding The Open. But why has Scheffler taken such a drastic measure? At the 124th U.S. Open, the two-time major was struggling like everyone else. At that time, he showed that he was human too and relayed that he couldn’t read the greens properly. Scheffler finished T41 at Pinehurst No. 2, the only blemish on his exceptional 2024 portfolio.

Later, in a press conference, Scheffler explained what might have affected him to make consistent over-par rounds. He argued that even though he won the Memorial Tournament, it would have been better to miss it. He said, “I think going into the major championships, especially the ones we know are going to be really challenging. It may be in my best interest not to play the week before.”

Scheffler explained that he would figure it out later in the season and has now concluded that it would be better to practice more and play the Open rather than playing in the Scottish Open. However, the event preceding the oldest major in golf might be seen as a great boost and many top players will be at North Berwick to go into The Open with a better result. Who is the other top player missing the two weeks on the PGA Tour?

World no. 2 to miss out on Rocket Mortgage Classic

After a gut-wrenching finish at Pinehurst No. 2, Rory McIlroy immediately left the scene without facing the media, as he missed the last par putt to force a playoff with Bryson DeChambeau. Gutted, the Northern Irishman later released a statement and described the Sunday round of the 124th U.S. Open as the “toughest day” of his 17-year-long career.

McIlroy had missed the chance to break the major curse of not winning in the last decade. Just like Scheffler, McIlroy’s schedule shows that he would miss the Rocket Mortgage Classic and John Deere Classic. However, unlike world No. 1, the 4-time major winner will be playing at the Genesis Scottish Open.

First, because he is the defending champion, and second, McIlroy explained that playing more events helps him know where his game stands and become sharper. If McIlroy wins the Scottish Open, it would be a huge boost going into The Open. Regardless, the top golfers in the world have contrasting plans; while one has opted for a 3-week sabbatical, another has not. Whose decision will work out for the better? It remains to be seen.