Scottie Scheffler has shared his thoughts on the FedEx Cup playoffs – and the world number one’s comments have sparked debate across the golfing world.
Scheffler, famously, has never won the Tour Championship at East Lake despite leading heading to Atlanta in the past two seasons.
The American is in a commanding position heading into the end-of-season finale and will likely tee off with a two-shot lead.
Despite Scheffler earning $100 million over the past three years, the 28-year-old has claimed the current end-of-season format is “silly”, with his efforts up to this point not adequately rewarded at the Tour Championship.
“I think it’s silly,” Scheffler said ahead of the St Jude Championship. “You can’t call it a season-long race and have it come down to one tournament.”
“Hypothetically, we get to East Lake, and my neck flares up, and it doesn’t heal the way it did at The Players; I finish 30th in the FedExCup because I had to withdraw from the last tournament. Is that really the season-long race? No. It is what it is.”
Now, golf fans have reacted to Scheffler’s comments, but not all are in agreement.
Golf fans react to Scottie Scheffler’s Tour Championship comments
Scheffler’s comments, unsurprisingly, have caused a stir online, and some fans have hit back at the world number one’s remarks.
“Scottie… that’s the point,” a fan wrote on X. “It’s the playoffs. Just like in any other sport. You can win every game all year long, but if you lose 1 game or 1 series in the playoffs, you’re out.”
Another added, “His argument makes no sense. According to this logic, the 2007 Patriots are champs because they did their best all year but just had a bad game at the end.”
Some claimed Scheffler was perhaps attempting to hide from his poor record at East Lake.
“C’mon, Scottie. Gotta be a better competitor than this,” another fan wrote. “Think Tiger would’ve ever said that? No, he’d just go win the damn thing.”
“It’s probably a safe bet that he’d have a different outlook on this if he had won the overall title in either of the past two seasons,” this fan said.
Finally, this fan claimed that Scheffler wants assurances that his season-long form will be rewarded.
“Scottie cannot play well at East Lake for whatever reason. So he usually ends up losing,” they wrote. “So he wants a guarantee that he will win the big season-ending money as he thinks he’s deserving. Never mind that if it’s a playoff, anything can happen, and it’s exciting.”
Scottie Scheffler must improve East Lake form
Clearly, Scheffler’s comments are born out of previous issues he’s faced at East Lake. For whatever reason, the world number one has struggled in Atlanta and hasn’t been able to get his hands on the prestigious end-of-season prize.
The American’s frustration is probably heightened by the presence of LIV Golf and the money offered on the breakaway tour. Scheffler’s season earnings equate to a low-ball LIV Golf offer, which is a gentle reminder of the money thrown around on the PIF-backed venture.
Ahead of the Tour Championship, the American will need to improve on his previous outings in Atlanta and silence those who have criticised his recent comments.
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