Scottie Scheffler vs Brooks Koepka: LIV Golf Primed to Enjoy the Last Laugh at Valhalla

Scottie Scheffler last played at Harbor Link Golf Town. He won his fourth victory of the year and vanished from the greens, but not for long. The world no. 1 has been with his wife to welcome their first child. In that bid, Scheffler missed the Zurich Classic, CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and the currently underway Wells Fargo Championship.

All in all, the 27-year-old has been away from competitive golf for three weeks now. During the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Scheffler was reported practicing at a Texas club. But will this come in clutch to defeat the 2023 PGA Championship winner, Brooks Koepka?

Scottie Scheffler might not be able to beat Brooks Koepka

When Brooks Koepka started his 2024 season, he shot three back-to-back top 10s: T5 in Mayakoba, T12 in Las Vegas, and Jeddah, respectively. This exemplary result was in between when Koepka was struggling with his putter, similar to Scottie Scheffler. He changed it from a blade to a mallet putter. However, the 34-year-old got over his putting issues, won for the fourth time, and became the only four-time LIV Golf winner. 

Coming to world no. 1, Scheffler had missed the competitive games for three weeks, as said. For weeks, he had been spending time with his family and awaiting his firstborn. Amidst his break from the game, his frustrating putting woes might come back to haunt Scottie Scheffler. Previously, he had clarified that he would spend time at home after the birth of his child, so has he welcomed his first child?

Per the reports, Meredith Scheffler was to deliver their first child in April. Later, it got delayed, and in early May. Golfweek’s Adam Schupak confirmed that Scheffler had still not welcomed his first child. If, by the PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler’s wife still hasn’t undergone labor, he might have to leave the second major in between.

On Thursday of the 88th Masters, Scheffler had explained that he would leave the men’s first major if he got the news of his wife undergoing labor. Something similar might occur at the PGA Championship, halting Scheffler’s third major title dream. On top of that, if the child comes before the second major, Scheffler, as a first-time father with sleep deprivation and fatigue, might even be more stressed. And that may lead to a rough day when he plays at Valhalla.

With Koepka getting over his putting problems and getting back to his form and Scheffler being busy in his life, he may not defeat Koepka, who has already won at Valhalla twice before. Scheffler even explained that once his child comes, golf will take a backseat in his life.

Scottie Scheffler talks about prioritizing his family over golf

Scottie Scheffler, as a family man, always put his folks first, and then his career. The 10-time PGA Tour winner would do more after they welcomed their first baby. During the RBC Heritage’s press conference, Scheffler was cleared on how he will tackle golf after the baby comes. He clarified that golf “never was my top priority,” said the world no. 1.

And once his family grows from two to three, it will go down further on the priority list. However, Scottie Scheffler explained that he would still do the best he could in golf. Scheffler would put in his 100% to be the best player in the current era. He shared his passion for the game and said, “I do love competing, and I put in the work.”

But reiterated the importance of his family, and said, “It’s going to take another notch down in priority when our child comes. My family still comes first, and we’ll see how the prep work goes.” As Scottie Scheffler hasn’t given any update regarding his first child and the PGA Championship is only 6 days away, Scheffler has little time to practice and give Koepka the rivalry of his life!