Scottie Scheffler’s Sudden Injury Concern at THE PLAYERS: WD Threat Looms Large Amid Title Defense

Scottie Scheffler appeared to be fighting against injury at THE PLAYERS Championship. The world no. 1 was spotted taking a physio’s advice at the par-4 14th. Sean Martin of PGATour.com tweeted, “Scottie rubbing his neck on No. 12 and talking to a rules official about treatment options. Overheard him asking if someone could bring him some Biofreeze. Seems to be dealing with discomfort in his neck. Also one off the lead.” Generally, Biofreeze is used to provide temporary relief for muscle pain, strain, bruises, or lingering injuries.

Analysts pointed out that Scheffler might have caused some trouble due to his swing and ‘fancy’ footwork. Notably, his swing was a cause of concern at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as well. Commentators pointed out that the world no.1 “could have done himself a serious injury!” The PGA Tour, too posted a clip from their official handle, however, there hasn’t been any confirmation of the seriousness of the issue. When Martin tweeted, Scheffler was sitting beside the 14th tee taking neck massage and hit his tee shot on the 14th after Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler. 

However, that niggling neck problem hasn’t had any detrimental effect on his game so far. The defending champion made two birdies in the back nine. After coming off the neck massage, the 27-year-old hit his tee shot at 286 yards to reach the fairway, eventually saving par. 

The world no. 1 was holding his neck at the 15th as well. Scheffler’s drive landed on the line of trees on the left side of the fairway, 169 yards from the pin. Scheffler eventually bogeyed the 15th after his par putt veered slightly to the right. That was only his second bogey this week. As of now, Scottie Scheffler is tied for the seventh spot but just one shot behind the lead. There is huge traffic on the top as six players have moved to 7-under. 

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Scheffler has bagged five top-10s this season alone, including his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week. His short-game woes, too, seemed to be fixed after his putter change at Bay Hill. But a withdrawal would mean more than just missing his second consecutive title.

What is at stake for Scottie Scheffler?

Scottie Scheffler is chasing history at TPC Sawgrass. No player has ever defended his THE PLAYERS Championship title. Even Jack Nicklaus tied for the fifth spot at the 1977 Championship, a year after his second THE PLAYERS title. Moreover, no one but Tiger Woods has netted a victory in one week and then defended his title the very next. Woods did it in 2007 after winning the PGA Championship and then defending his Bridgestone Invitational title. 

If Scheffler has to withdraw, it’d be a huge setback not just for the world no. 1 but for the PGA Tour as well. The Tour has already battled with falling TV ratings. Even a red-hot Scheffler couldn’t draw enough eyeballs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Notably, Tom Kim, too, pulled out yesterday due to illness. Another withdrawal, too, of Scottie Scheffler might cause a huge drawback for the PGA Tour.

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