Scottie Scheffler has enjoyed a magnificent 2025 season and he’ll be hoping to go out with a bang in the Bahamas at the Hero World Challenge this week.
Scheffler got off to a fine start at the Hero World Challenge by shooting a round of six-under par 66 with his only blemish coming on the final hole.
However, it’s fair to say that the Texan wasn’t anywhere near his best. He just made shooting 66 look way too easy.
The 29-year-old world number one is looking to win Tiger Woods‘ tournament at Albany Golf Course for the third successive year.
Scheffler’s stellar 2025 included a win at The Open, as he went on to rack up six victories in total.
Do you think Scottie Scheffler should play more outside of the United States?
In fact, Scheffler was actually compared with Tiger Woods, such were the levels of his golf throughout 2025.
Now he’ll be looking to go out with a bang by winning the Hero World Challenge.
However, he may well have to tidy up one particular part of his game if he is to achieve exactly that.
Scottie Scheffler delivers verdict on his opening round performance at the Hero
Scheffler’s ability to shoot six-under-par while playing nowhere near his best was a great example of what makes him so good.
When watching the world number one, it doesn’t seem like he actually does anything spectacular.
He rarely makes mistakes and always seems to hit his iron shots pin high.
However, one specific part of his game definitely let him down during day one of the Hero World Challenge.
The 29-year-old lost 2.08 shots to the field around the greens on day one, and finished in dead last out of the 20-man field in that particular category (Data Golf).
Scheffler spoke to reporters after his opening round and explained why he struggled so much around the greens at Albany on Thursday.
“I mean, I think the grain has a lot to do with it. The ball has a tendency to sit down in the turf. And a lot of it’s rough here, so you’re below the green, ball’s sitting down. It can be pretty challenging.“
Scottie Scheffler stats from day one at the Hero World Challenge
Aside from his chipping and pitching, Scheffler was in fine form.
He drove the ball exceptionally well, and was ranked fourth in both accuracy and distance off the tee.
Here are his stats in total from his opening round at Albany:
| Stats | Scheffler’s rank |
| Strokes gained off the tee | 1 |
| Strokes gained approach | 7 |
| Strokes gained around the green | 20 |
| Strokes gained putting | 1 |
| Strokes gained total | T-1 |
You’d have to be a brave man to back against Scheffler coming out on Friday and shooting 66 or lower.
If Scheffler tidies up his play around the greens, a round in the low-60s could very well be on the cards for him on day two of the Hero World Challenge.
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