Scottie Scheffler had a bad day. Here’s how bizarre it was

Scottie Scheffler’s opening round at the WM Phoenix Open began as expected – a drive in the fairway, a precise wedge shot, and a quick birdie. However, the consistency World No. 1 Scheffler is known for quickly unraveled, marked by a series of uncharacteristic errors that left observers puzzled.

A Round of Contrasts

Immediately following his opening birdie, Scheffler’s next tee shot found the water hazard on the 11th hole, leading to a bogey. This pattern – a birdie immediately followed by a bogey – repeated itself three times during the first round. What we have is particularly striking given Scheffler’s reputation for consistently avoiding big numbers on the scorecard.

A Statistical Anomaly

Scheffler ultimately carded a two-over 73, ten strokes behind leader Chris Gotterup within their group. According to golf statistician Justin Ray, this marked the first time since 2021 that Scheffler had been beaten by ten or more strokes in a round by a playing partner.

Did You Know? Scottie Scheffler’s streak of 33 consecutive rounds of par or better on Tour was broken during the first round, ending with a bogey on the 8th hole.

The struggles weren’t limited to tee shots. Scheffler also mishit chips on both the 18th and 8th holes, watching the ball roll back towards his feet after impact. A Twitter post highlighted the visible frustration, suggesting a level of intensity beneath Scheffler’s typically calm demeanor.

Recent Form and Historical Context

While this round was a clear outlier, it wasn’t entirely unprecedented. Scheffler shot a third-round 72 at the Travelers Championship last June and a third-round 76 at Torrey Pines in the Genesis Invitational last year. However, those rounds were followed by strong recoveries.

In the past twelve months on Tour, this round represents one of Scheffler’s most significant dips in form. Some may recall similar struggles with left misses during the final round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, but Scheffler ultimately rallied to win that tournament by five strokes.

Expert Insight: The significance of Scheffler’s struggles lies in the expectation he has created. His consistently high level of play means even minor deviations from his norm are magnified and viewed as unusual.

Looking Ahead

It’s possible Scheffler could rebound in the coming rounds, drawing on his demonstrated ability to recover from setbacks, as seen at the PGA Championship. Alternatively, the struggles could continue, potentially impacting his position on the leaderboard. A strong performance over the next three days could see him climb back into contention, while further inconsistencies may leave him further behind. The tournament could also serve as a learning experience, prompting adjustments to his game plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Scottie Scheffler’s score on Thursday at the WM Phoenix Open?

Scottie Scheffler carded a two-over 73 on Thursday.

How many times did Scheffler follow a birdie with a bogey during the first round?

Scheffler followed a birdie with a bogey on three separate occasions during the first round.

When was the last time Scheffler was beaten by 10 or more strokes in a round by a playing partner?

According to Justin Ray, it was in 2021.

Will Scheffler’s experience and mental fortitude allow him to overcome this challenging start and contend for the title, or will the unusual errors continue to plague his game?