Scottie Scheffler became the fourth-youngest golfer to win multiple Masters in 2024, so it sure means a lot to him, right? Well, you be the judge of that. Scheffler is focused on defending his Masters title, but he’s not getting caught up in the recent trend of winners starting strong. There’s been a pattern where the eventual champion finishes in the top 10 after the first round, but Scheffler isn’t losing sleep over it. “I don’t really think about that stuff very much,” he said at the Masters presser when asked about the trend of winners starting strong. 

“I don’t really care what happened in the last few tournaments.” For Scheffler, it’s simple: getting off to a good start increases your chances of winning. “You get off to a good start, statistically you’re going to have a better chance to win the tournament,” he noted.  While he acknowledges that Augusta National offers many opportunities for comeback stories, especially with challenging pin placements on Sunday, Scheffler isn’t intimidated.

“I wouldn’t say that it can’t be done,” he said with confidence, ready to take on the challenge of defending his title. The course’s unique layout and fast greens can make it difficult for players to catch up, but Scheffler’s focus remains on his own game. Well, Scheffler’s confidence in himself doesn’t seem to be reflecting on others as LIV superstar and 3-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson has publicly questioned his dominance.

Mickelson sparked a heated debate by suggesting that Joaquín Niemann is the top player in the world, and even took a swipe at Scheffler’s chances of winning before the 2025 Ryder Cup. In a bold tweet, Mickelson said, “Here’s a hot take: Does Scottie win in 2025 before the Ryder Cup? I don’t think so.”

However, when called out for his comments, Mickelson quickly backtracked, claiming he was just “having a little fun.” Well, Scheffler is surely not letting the comments bother him as the golfer stays focused on making a strong comeback with his relaxed approach.

Scottie Scheffler says ‘sniffles aren’t going to stop’ him

Scottie Scheffler is exuding confidence and calmness as he prepares to defend his Masters title. The 28-year-old American has been in a relaxed and jovial mood, enjoying a practice round with his mom on Sunday and joking about his Champions Dinner menu on Tuesday evening. Scheffler served up a delicious spread, including ‘Papa Scheff’s’ meatball and ravioli bites, and playfully suggested that he might ask his fellow players to “make your own ravioli.”

His lighthearted nature was on full display as he poked fun at his own cooking mishaps, including a Christmas Day incident where he cut his hand on homemade ravioli dough. “If I was trying to take out the competition, I would definitely do a demonstration, something along those lines, but yeah, hopefully avoid the injuries,” Scheffler joked. “Maybe they’ll cut up my steak for me, I won’t have to use a knife or anything like that. We’ll see.”

Despite dealing with a touch of hay fever, Scheffler is feeling good and ready to roll. “The pollen count is a little worse than normal years,” he said, “but I feel good and ready to roll, sniffles aren’t going to stop me.” The world number one is, unsurprisingly, the favorite to don the Green Jacket again on Sunday. If he succeeds, he’ll join an elite group of players who have won successive titles, including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods.

Scheffler would also equal Nicklaus’ feat of winning three titles in four years. However, Scheffler seems unfazed by the prospect of creating his own bit of history, saying, “I really don’t focus a lot on that stuff.” With his relaxed demeanor and focus on the present, Scheffler is well-positioned to make a strong run at his third Masters title in four years. So, do you think he can do it? Let us know in the comment section below!