Scottie Scheffler has chosen to forego some links golf preparation for The Open Championship,
deciding not to compete in this week’s Scottish Open, in a decision that could benefit Rory McIlroy.
Scheffler is aiming to win the Claret Jug at Royal Troon for the first time and enters the final major of the year as a clear favourite due to his dominance in 2024.
Interestingly, the American chose not to compete against his rivals at The Renaissance Club.
The Scottish Open was cleverly moved in the calendar to take place the week before The Open,
providing those competing with much-needed preparation for the challenge that links golf presents compared to that in the United States.
Defending the title this week is world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who emerged as champion last year after edging out home favourite Robert MacIntyre at the 72nd hole.
McIlroy is one of four of the top-five players in the world in action in North Berwick this week, with 2022 champion Xander Scahuffele, Ludvig Aberg, and Wyndham Clark all teeing it up.
The one member of the top five not competing in Scotland is Scheffler, who has missed the last three events on the PGA Tour leading up to next week’s Open Championship. His last outing was at the Travelers Championship last month, where he once again walked away as a champion.
Scheffler joined the elite ranks of golf, becoming only the fifth man to clinch six or more PGA Tour wins in a single season, standing alongside legends like Nick Price, Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and Tom Watson. His victory at the Travelers Championship was particularly thrilling, edging out his good mate Tom Kim in a nail-biting playoff at TPC River Highlands.
After his decision to rest before The Open, it’s not entirely unexpected, given his earlier remarks at the US Open.
Scheffler had a rather uninspiring performance there, tying for 41st place at Pinehurst No. 2, after which he suggested that resting at home might have been better preparation than playing just before a major, despite his win at The Memorial shortly before.
“I think maybe my prep would have been a little bit better for this week if I was at home,” he said post-U. S.
Open. “I’m obviously not going to skip Jack [Nicklaus’] tournament [The Memorial]. It’s a tournament I love playing. It’s a tournament that I’m humbled to be the champion at.”
Looking ahead, Scheffler plans to adjust his approach to major tournaments, especially when tough setups like the US Open are expected. Meanwhile, he’s been spotted enjoying some downtime on holiday with his wife Meredith and their new-born Bennett.
Follow us to see more useful information, as well as to give us more motivation to update more useful information for you.
Source: CNN
