PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — For over 40 years, TPC Sawgrass has hosted The Players Championship, a tournament known for not favoring any particular style of golfer. Whether you’re a power hitter or possess a strong short game, the course appears to accommodate various playing styles. However, Scottie Scheffler seems to defy that narrative.
In a stunning season of accomplishments, Scheffler almost withdrew from the second round due to a neck injury, only to stage a remarkable recovery. He made a series of late birdies on Saturday to put himself back in contention and then overcame a five-shot deficit with a score of 64 to clinch victory. This feat made him the first back-to-back winner of The Players Championship, a fact that carries little weight for the world’s top golfer as he seeks a third consecutive win.
“What does last year’s tournament have to do with this year?” Scheffler queried after completing a nine-hole practice round with fellow golfers Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay, and Xander Schauffele. He believes previous successes do not guarantee future outcomes. “What does that have to do with what I’m trying to do this week? Not much, right? Like, do I start 1 under? Do I start at 2 under?” He appreciates past victories for the confidence they might offer but knows past mistakes are not worth dwelling upon.
As he embarks on the 2024 season, Scheffler refuses to rest on his laurels from last year, a year where he claimed nine titles including the Masters, The Players, and an Olympic gold medal in Paris. His philosophy is about turning a new page every season. An unexpected accident during Christmas, when a wine glass injured his hand, required surgery and sidelined him until February. This disruption has led to performances that do not meet his extraordinary standards from the previous year, but he remains unfazed.
“Last year is last year. I’m not trying to replicate it. I’m not trying to look back on it,” Scheffler commented. “At the end of the day, it’s in the past. It was a great year. I’m tremendously thankful. I lived a full lifetime in a year. A lot of great things happened, and I’m very thankful for that.”
The Players Championship this year presents another test with a challenging course that offers both low scores and high risk to its participants. “It’s the kind of course where you need a lot of things to go right to be in the mix,” said Adam Scott, who succeeded at Sawgrass in 2004. He underscored the unpredictable nature of the course and its difficulty in consistently posting good scores.
Scheffler isn’t alone in experiencing a delayed start. Xander Schauffele, the reigning PGA and British Open champion, returned from a rib injury after a two-month break following the season opener at Kapalua. Schauffele also acknowledges the stiff challenges Sawgrass presents, irrespective of past performances. His track record includes runner-up finishes and a trio of missed cuts with a modest 19th place finish intermixed.
When asked about the secret to conquering Sawgrass, Schauffele highlighted that having a complete skill set is crucial. “Scottie won it two years in a row,” he noted. “Someone that has the whole package is going to play well here. You’re hitting a lot of fairways, you can shape the ball off the tee, short game’s wicked, you can get a little bit of relief on the greens.”
After competing in a practice round under clear skies and favorable conditions, Schauffele provided insights into Scheffler’s game without diving into specifics about their match. It was evident that Scheffler’s unique approach is not about overpowering shots but rather executing consistent, precise plays. “He’s not like hitting it 50 yards past anyone,” Schauffele remarked. “He’s just hitting the extra fairway more than someone. He’s hitting it closer than everyone, and he’s chipping it closer than everyone.”
For Schauffele and other onlookers, Scheffler’s consistent performance seems almost routine. As the tournament week unfolds, the course and record books are set to witness if Scottie Scheffler’s blend of skill and tenacity can propel him to more history.
