What Scottie Scheffler said about links golf in his first ever Open Championship before he’d ever won on the PGA Tour

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Links golf is a completely different animal to everything else, and Scottie Scheffler hasn’t actually had much experience of playing the game in its rawest form.

Scheffler‘s first time in Britain was actually only four years ago, when he competed at The Open at Royal St Georges.

Earlier this week, Scheffler shared just how much he loves playing links golf, and it’s clear that he has embraced the challenge throughout the years.

Scheffler is 29, but his dominance in the game didn’t really start until the beginning of 2024.

The Dallas native didn’t win on the PGA Tour until 2022, and he is a baby, relatively speaking, when it comes to his history at The Open Championship.

What Scottie Scheffler said about links golf in his first ever Open Championship

Back in 2021, Scheffler finished in a tie for eighth at Royal St Georges, eight shots adrift of eventual winner Collin Morikawa.

And after his first two rounds down on the Kent coast, Scheffler was asked whether it was his first time playing links golf.

He said: “Yeah, last week was actually my first time to the United Kingdom, so I’m pretty fresh over here. I’ve enjoyed it so far. The weather has been good. I really like links golf and it’s been fun coming out here, playing, seeing, creating shots, really just having fun.“

The American was then asked if he had to change anything in particular, in order to thrive when playing on links turf.

Scheffler replied: “You know, I really didn’t change much. I just had to figure out how I play shots on this grass. I never played on this type of grass before. That was the biggest adjustment. I’ve always done well on courses that are firm and fast, and so I wasn’t too worried about coming over to play links golf the first time. Just needed to figure out the bunkers and the grass around the greens.“

And the keys to succeeding at The Open?

Scheffler said: “I mean, first things first you got to get the ball in the fairway, especially on a new golf course where I’m not as in tune to where and where not to put my golf ball.

“So getting the ball in play is really important. I feel like I’ve gotten a really good feel for the positions on this golf course and where I need to attack and kind of stay — or play a little bit safe. So get used to the golf course and I feel like my game is trending in the right direction this week.“

Scottie Scheffler’s record at The Open

On paper, Scheffler has all of the tools needed to succeed at The Open.

He can flight down his golf ball exceptionally well and he possesses a truly outstanding and imaginative short game.

Here is how his career Open record stacks up:

There is obviously room for improvement, but the fact that he has two top-10s in just four starts and has never missed a cut is hugely impressive.

Can he complete the third leg of the Grand Slam at Royal Portrush next week though? Only time will tell in that regard.