Scottie Scheffler’s Challenging Start at the Phoenix Open
In Scottsdale, Arizona, Scottie Scheffler faced unexpected challenges during the opening round of the Phoenix Open, finishing with a 2-over par 73. This disappointing performance puts him in a precarious position, trailing leader Chris Gotterup by ten strokes and on the verge of potentially missing the cut for the first time in over three years.
Signs of Frustration on the Course
The world’s top-ranked golfer displayed signs of frustration during his round, particularly after an alarming chip on the par-4 18th hole, where he tapped his club in anger as the ball returned to his feet. His struggles continued at the eighth hole, leading to a similar reaction of disbelief as another bogey was tacked onto his scorecard.
Season Overview and Performance
Scheffler, who started the season with a victory at The American Express in Palm Desert—his 20th career win on the PGA Tour—had hoped to secure a third consecutive title at the TPC Scottsdale, having triumphed there in both 2022 and 2023. Despite favorable conditions for scoring, his round began promisingly with a birdie on the par-4 10th, but quickly unraveled with a bogey on the next hole.
He added two more birdies, negating one bogey but ultimately fell apart towards the end of his round, culminating in a double bogey at the second hole after a series of missteps that left him reeling. His frustrating day concluded with a 3-over 38 on the back nine, increasing the urgency for him to deliver a significant performance in the next round to maintain his impressive streak of 65 consecutive cuts made on the PGA Tour.
Looking Ahead
After finishing his round, Scheffler immediately sought out the driving range, determined to correct the flaws that led to his struggle, as he seeks to avoid an uncharacteristic exit from the tournament.
