Scottie Scheffler goes into the Presidents Cup with something of a point to prove after two underwhelming performances in team events over the past couple of years.
It is remarkable to say but Scottie Scheffler has struggled to take his incredible performances throughout the year on the PGA Tour and turn them into dominant displays in the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup. He has not won a game in either competition since USA decimated Europe at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Scheffler lost three of his four matches at Quail Hollow two years ago, so he will surely want to put that right at Royal Montreal, particularly in a year where the Internationals seem to be building so much positivity. Perhaps it is recency bias, but it really feels as if Mike Weir’s men are ready to take all that they have learned over the last few events to push the US all the way.
Certainly, taking down Scheffler will give them a huge boost given his status as the best player on the planet right now – by some distance, too. And it seems that the home side are going to need Scheffler to be off his game in one way or another, with the golf course not providing many surprises.
Scottie Scheffler issues verdict on Royal Montreal course
Speaking in his press conference ahead of this week’s event, the world number one was asked about what his impressions of the Royal Montreal track are after playing in practice rounds.
“Definitely a little bit of an understanding of where to be and where not to be. It’s a pretty simple golf course for the most part. We played it the first time, and it wasn’t really like there were many holes where guys were discussing what to hit off the tee or what line to take. There wasn’t a lot of confusing stuff. The golf course kind of presents itself to you, and you just have to go out there and execute,” he said.
“There’s some holes where you can make birdies, but there’s some pretty good long par-3s that are challenging and some long par 4s. This is a week where we’re going to get, I think, a different wind direction each day, and that will provide another challenge to playing a golf course for the first time.”
The big task facing Jim Furyk
It seems to be crucial for Jim Furyk that he pairs Scheffler with the right people over the coming days. He is often being paired with good friend Sam Burns. But that pairing is yet to prove to be successful for the side.
In truth, Scheffler is too good a player to continue this questionable record for too long. And the Internationals are probably in for nasty surprise if they assume that the world number one is going to continue to struggle.
If Scheffler feels comfortable on the golf course, he is going to be an unbelievable asset to the holders of the trophy this week. And if he can take five points from five in Canada, it is going to be a monumental task for Weir’s side.
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