ST. ANDREWS (Scotland): In a field replete with household names, Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, is rather unassuming. To the point of going unnoticed at times. Yet, he is comfortable in the role of an undercard ahead of a heavyweight clash at the 150th Open at St. Andrews. He knows he is not the most-talked about man in a golf town, whose current visitors include Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and others.
Scheffler said, “I guess I am No. 1 in the rankings. (But) I’m not sure if I’m necessarily perceived that way by you all or whoever it is, but that’s not stuff that I really ever think about. I’m just trying to go out and play good golf.”
At a place, where words like tradition and champions figure in every alternate sentence, Scheffler says, “Yeah, I don’t feel like there’s any more pressure on me. I’m showing up like everybody else trying to come here and play well at a golf tournament. Being the home of golf and The Open Championship definitely amplifies things a bit, but that’s across the board. I don’t think it matters if I’m No. 1 in the world or No. 50 in the world, I want to win this tournament as bad or more than anybody out here.
“I’ve prepared this week. I’ve gone out on the golf course. I’ve hit all the shots. I’m going to be comfortable knowing I did everything I could to play well.”
Has perception about him changed since acquiring the world No. 1 tag?
He was candid and said, “It’s definitely different. I was talking to my wife atthe beginning of this week, it’s definitely different when I go out and play practice rounds and there’s people around. Six months ago I definitely wasn’t asked to come in the press room unless I was winning. So, there’s definitely a bit more activity. That’s something I’m learning how to navigate.”
Scheffler may have a Major and three other win this year, but still feels he is not the favourite. “I don’t think I was the favourite maybe going into the Masters. I’m not sure if I’ve been the favourite maybe going into any tournaments. That may not be the true perception. That’s just mine. So for me, I don’t really feel like whatever being No. 1 would be.”
Yet, he has been on top of the world rankings since March 28. In 13 starts beginning with his win at Phoenix, he has four wins, two seconds, including at the US Open.
A missed cut this week coming on top of the early exit last week at the Scottish Open, will still not dislodge him from the No. 1 spot because he is so far ahead.
So, what hole will he be looking out for?
He has been working to avoid the “Road Hole” bunker on No. 17. He has worked on it, but knows the wind and firm nature and the showers, which finally put in an appearance on Wednesday afternoon, can make things unpredictable.
“I think that’s one of the special things about this golf course. It’s so simple, but it’s really fun to play,” Scheffler said. “No matter the conditions, I’m going to go out there and have a good time just hitting all kinds of weird shots.”
And he is armed with some knowledge from YouTube clips of Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo and is trying to see what it takes to win the Open at St. Andrews after fitting into the Green Jacket Masters earlier in the year.
