Scottie Scheffler Declares ‘Neck Injury’ a Thing of the Past; Puts Rivals Under Huge Pressure Ahead of the Masters

Scottie Scheffler is fully aware of his body. He knows how much rest is needed. In his last appearance at THE PLAYERS Championship, the Texas resident was playing with a kinetic tape wrapped around his neck. Scheffler also needed the help of the on-course physio, Marnus Marais. After his triumphant title defense, the eight-time PGA Tour winner knew it was time to take a break.

At the ongoing Texas Children’s Houston Open, Scheffler carded 5-under 65 to tie for the third spot after the first round. But he missed the first four greens and his elite ball striking was a little off. Something to do with his neck? This is his last tournament before the season’s first Major, and Scheffler is not worried one bit.

Scottie Scheffler admits the ‘off week was good’

Scheffler took some time off after creating history at the TPC Sawgrass. The reigning world No. 1 skipped the Valspar Championship and instead picked the first of the two events at his home state. At the Memorial Park Golf Course, Scheffler appeared without any kinetic tape that was wrapped around his neck the last time.

Speaking after the first round, Scheffler credits the week’s rest behind a quick recovery.  “Like I said, the off week was good for me to get some rest, get some rehab. I took a couple more days off than I typically would last week, so it was some good recovery time,” Scottie Scheffler said after the first round.

Generally, the eight-time PGA Tour winner is back on the greens by Wednesday for practice. This time, he took two extra days off. And even when he got back, light half-hour sessions on the chipping and putting followed. Scottie Scheffler added, “Just getting back into it, hitting some wedges, hitting some irons, didn’t hit any drivers. I played golf Saturday and I had a decent practice session Sunday. Outside of that, nothing.”

Not that there are any shortcomings in his game. Putting, his only bete noir, has massively improved with a mallet putter in his arsenal. At Memorial Park, the former Masters champion is T6 in SG: Putting (2.624). He missed the first four greens early on but recovered to go bogey-free with five birdies. Scheffler is once again in contention. Does it ever cross his mind that he might sniff victory again this week?

One shot at a time for Scheffler

Scheffler has six top-10s from his last eight outings. Even on his ‘worst’ day, the 27-year-old tied for the 17th spot at the American Express. Furthermore, the 5-under at Memorial Park was his 28th consecutive round under par–a record in the PGA Tour history. The world might feel he is unbeatable at this point, but the man himself doesn’t. 

A devout Christian in life, the University of Texas product only tries to control things that he can. “I try not to look too far ahead, I try to do my best. Simple as that, really just one shot at a time,” the one-time Major winner emphasized at the post-round media interaction. If Scheffler wins on Sunday, he will be the only golfer since Dustin Johnson in 2017 to earn bragging rights in three consecutive starts. But Scottie Scheffler is “definitely not thinking about Sunday.” The eight-time PGA Tour winner will tee off at 1.53 PM EDT on Friday.

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