Scottie Scheffler poised to continue success at U.S. Open

PINEHURST, N.C. – In the realm of professional golf, Scottie Scheffler has carved out an indomitable presence. With five victories in his last eight starts, including major tournaments and elite fields, he arrives at this week's U.S. Open as the undisputed No. 1 in the game.

Scheffler's preparation is meticulous. He finds comfort in the sweat-stained hats in his home gym, each a testament to the hard work that precedes his rounds. This sense of preparation fortifies him as he steps onto the tee.

“I always remind myself walking to the tee that I'm prepared for this, I did everything I could in order to play well,” Scheffler said.

Imposing Presence

Scheffler's dominance has not gone unnoticed by his competitors. Golf, an individual sport, sees players like Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland acknowledging the exceptional standard Scheffler has set. Even seasoned professionals admit they haven't seen such a consistent level of success.

“It's just very, very impressive to watch,” said Hovland, the reigning FedExCup champion. “Definitely makes me work harder and motivates me to get better and try to compete against him.”

Since March 1, Scheffler has triumphed in five out of seven significant events, including Signature Events and majors. This streak of brilliance has created an imposing challenge for his peers.

Versatility Across Courses

Scheffler’s victories span a variety of challenging courses, from TPC Sawgrass and Augusta National to Muirfield Village. This week, he faces Pinehurst No. 2, known for its rustic native areas and challenging tabletop greens. Yet, this seems tailor-made for Scheffler’s precision and short game skills.

He leads the PGA TOUR in key metrics such as Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green, Greens in Regulation, and Proximity to the Hole. His ability to recover from mistakes, ranking fourth in Scrambling and 14th in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green, enhances his dominance.

Mindset and Focus

Scheffler’s mental approach is equally formidable. He remains focused on the present, quickly moving on from past successes to new challenges. After his recent win at the Memorial, his celebration was brief as he turned his attention to the U.S. Open.

“My mind kind of just goes on to the next thing,” he said.

This mindset will be crucial at Pinehurst, a course where minor errors can lead to significant penalties. Yet, Scheffler sees these challenges as opportunities, a testament to his resilient mentality.

Poised for Continued Dominance

Scheffler's 11 victories since the start of 2022, including two at THE PLAYERS and the Masters, underscore his sustained excellence. As he prepares for the U.S. Open, he is the biggest favorite at a major since Tiger Woods in 2009.

“I don't really feel it, and I don't really think about it much,” Scheffler said about the pressure.

While he remains unfazed, his competitors are acutely aware of his presence. As Scheffler steps onto the course at Pinehurst, the golf world watches to see if he will continue his remarkable run of success.