A fresh-looking Scottie Scheffler came to the pre-match press conference at the Memorial Park Golf Course. The eight-time PGA Tour winner shaved his beard. Groomed for the first Major of the season? Not so much, but Masters is on Scheffler’s mind. It is why he skipped the second event in his home state, the Valero Texas Open.
But World No. 2, Rory McIlroy, would be in San Antonio for the last event before the Masters. It’s in line with his plan of playing more events to complete his career grand slam. As for World No. 1, Scheffler admits he has done it in “different ways in the past,” but one thing has remained constant for him.
A week’s break is not a necessity for the world no. 1
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Scheffler’s schedule looked similar two years ago, at the time of his maiden Green Jacket. The Texas native headed to Augusta, skipping the final event before the Masters. But that’s not a rule of thumb. Rest is necessary, Scheffler admits, but at the same time, taking a long break before any Major isn’t his way of doing things.
“It just depends, I think I’m still figuring out what works best for me. The only thing I know that I don’t like is taking a long break before a major, so like with the way the schedule was this year, three weeks off before playing the Masters would have been a bit too much time for me,” Scheffler said in the media interaction ahead of the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open.
While Scheffler would like a week off before the Masters, that might not be the case for the other Majors. Heading to the U.S. Open, the current world no.1 would tee off at the Memorial, which is just a week before the third Major. But, most likely, he would skip Wells Fargo ahead of the PGA Championship. Scheffler added, “PGA, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to make it with the baby coming, but typically I would play the week about that one as well.”
Scottie Scheffler reiterated skipping the event before a Major is not “necessarily the secret sauce”. But a break was necessary for him this week. The 27-year-old was low on energy after THE PLAYERS victory. Will his neck be a problem at the Houston or even at the Masters? Scheffler, who won the States despite hurting his left ankle playing basketball, doesn’t sound concerned.
Scottie Scheffler is unbothered by his neck troubles
Scottie Scheffler feels ‘rusty’ but ‘rested’ ahead of the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open. the current world no.1 was “pretty worn out” after Bay Hill and THE PLAYERS. Victory at TPC Sawgrass came with a stiff neck. But the 27-year-old didn’t sound worried at the pre-match press conference. Rather, Scheffler talked at length about the redesigned course, where he had practiced a few rounds and feels they overseeded it keeping Augusta in mind.
⛳ #NEW Scottie Scheffler said he rested last week so he feels a bit rusty but was able to get out and practice here in Houston.
He didn't mention any neck pain. 🔥#HoustonOpen @SchefflerFans @NUCLRGOLF pic.twitter.com/jenVC4prWp
— Golf Injury Report (@InjuryReportPGA) March 27, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The eight-time PGA Tour winner said, “I didn’t do nearly as much practice as I typically would have in the last week, so coming in shaking off a little bit of rust the last couple days. But game feels like it’s in a good spot, so I feel rested and ready to go this week.” If Scheffler wins here, he would be the third person since 2017, to snatch three consecutive titles in as many outings. That’s not in Scheffler’s mind though. He is focused on keeping a good attitude executing good shots, and “stuff like that.’’
Read More: Ten Ridiculous Records Set by Scottie Scheffler After His $4,500,000 PLAYERS Championship Win
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad