Scottie Scheffler demonstrated his bounce-back ability with a miraculous par save on Pebble Beach’s iconic 18th.
Scheffler, who is making his first PGA Tour appearance in 2025, is seven under for the tournament and seven shots back from leader Sepp Straka.
Much like Hale Irwin in 1984, the world number one hooked his drive into the beach to the left of the 18th fairway. Scheffler’s ball did not bounce back onto the short grass, however.
Instead, with the tide out, the 28-year-old’s tee shot ended up playable on the beach. With the area red-staked, Scheffler could play his second shot back onto the fairway without incurring a penalty.
The world number one pitched back out on the short grass before hitting the green and making a two-putt par.
Scottie Scheffler responds to what Rory McIlroy said after day two at Pebble Beach
Speaking after his round, Scheffler was informed that Rory McIlroy was particularly impressed with his efforts on the finishing hole.
“Well, I talked to him a little bit at the beginning of this week. I think when it comes to like people say, oh, well, he just doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, I think that’s a product of like being in control of your golf ball,” Scheffler said.
“Like if you ask anybody on Tour, they want to limit their mistakes. I think having the ability to control where I’m hitting it, where I’m missing it. I think, like the last two days out here, I haven’t felt, you know, at peak performance at all. I think if you look at my strokes gained ball-striking numbers, they’re probably not near what they would normally be, and I think that’s just a little bit of competitive rust, kind of getting my feet back under me and playing tournament golf.
“To only have two bogeys, one of them being with a semi-shank, it’s pretty good. My first hole of the tournament and then just a little rust, brain fart type thing. Other than that, I did a good job keeping my focus keeping the golf course in front of me—definitely 18, a little luck saved at least a bogey there.”
During the 2024 PGA Tour, Scheffler ranked second for bogey avoidance behind Xander Schauffele. Scheffler only made 133 bogeys from 1350 holes.
What Scottie Scheffler said about his game at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Scheffler was always going to be a bit rusty upon his return to the PGA Tour. However, it’s important to remember that he actually underwent surgery on the hand injury he sustained on Christmas Day.
After several wedges came up short, the world number one still needs to dial in his numbers before he can return to winning form. On Friday, Scheffler appeared to struggle to control his spin into the greens.
During his media duties, Scheffler was also asked whether he knows when he’s in full control of his game. “I think I just feel it in my hands. I think when I have a really good understanding of where the club is in my swing, that’s when I hit it the best,” he added.
“Certain days like yesterday and today, I mean, I have a great understanding of that, so that’s why you see some errant shots here or there, but for the most part, just trying to get a good feel out there.”
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