Scottie Scheffler spiked his golf cap on the inexperienced, barked an expletive in triumph, and but hardly appeared content material with one of many largest and most hard-fought event victories of his profession.
“Let’s f—–g go! That’s what I’m speaking about!” Scheffler mentioned to caddie Ted Scott after clinching the title on the PGA Championship earlier this month at Quail Hole in Charlotte.
Scheffler’s response was extra of a person on a mission — not one glad along with his newest accomplishment.
What he earned was his third profession victory in a serious event, including to titles on the Masters in 2022 and 2024. That places him two majors away from the profession Grand Slam, which Rory McIlroy accomplished in April along with his Masters victory.
The profession Grand Slam has been completed simply six occasions: McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Participant, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.
McIlroy’s win at Augusta means Scheffler can now not grow to be the primary participant to win the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship in a single season. However he can nonetheless full the profession Grand Slam earlier than 2025 is full.
Successful three majors in a single season could be a feat in itself — one not completed since Woods claimed the U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship in 2000. He accomplished the “Tiger Slam” by successful the 2001 Masters, giving him all 4 main titles without delay.
Extra regular than the dynamic power Woods as soon as was, Scheffler, 28, nonetheless represents the very best wager to perform such a feat within the coming years.
There was single-season Grand Slam chatter when Scheffler gained his second Masters title in 2024. At that time, he had earned 9 titles over two seasons, together with the Masters and Gamers Championship twice. He added 4 extra event wins in 2024, together with the Tour Championship, however positioned tied for eighth on the PGA Championship, tied for forty first on the U.S. Open, and tied for seventh on the Open Championship.
This yr’s U.S. Open at Oakmont is quick approaching, set for June 12–15. Scheffler’s finest U.S. Open end got here in 2022, when he tied for second at The Nation Membership in Brookline, Massachusetts. He adopted that up with a tie for third in 2023 at Los Angeles Nation Membership.
Now comes a possibility at Oakmont, simply outdoors Pittsburgh. There isn’t any denying Scheffler’s momentum, with back-to-back victories on the Byron Nelson and the PGA Championship, adopted by a fourth-place end on the Charles Schwab Problem.
That Scheffler has mentioned he has not been enjoying his finest golf currently — regardless of delivering six consecutive top-10 finishes — may very well be an indication that his first U.S. Open title is inside attain. Sportsbooks appear to agree, with Scheffler listed because the +350 favourite at DraftKings, forward of McIlroy (+660), Bryson DeChambeau (+1100), Xander Schauffele (+1200) and Jon Rahm (+1200).
“The primary two days I didn’t swing it my finest, and I used to be in a position to publish a rating by some means,” Scheffler mentioned after successful the PGA Championship. “Exterior of the final 5 holes (in Spherical 3), that is the place I actually sort of put myself forward within the event. I imply, the again 9 (Sunday) was fairly particular as effectively.”
Scheffler has the uncanny capacity to step on the fuel when he must. If he can determine the size and intricacies of Oakmont, he’ll be one step nearer to a profession Grand Slam in a event positive to attract eyes worldwide.
The Open Championship, scheduled for July 17–20, can be performed on McIlroy’s residence turf at Royal Portrush in Northern Eire.
Successful a second and third main in a single yr is unlikely. Getting the very best of McIlroy in his residence nation gained’t be straightforward. However Scheffler hasn’t delivered the success he has by specializing in the wall in entrance of him. His head stays down your entire means.
“After I stepped on the tee on Thursday, I am not fascinated by what is going on to occur on Sunday. I am making ready for a 72-hole occasion,” the ever-pragmatic Scheffler mentioned. “That is what I inform myself on the first tee: It is 72 holes. That is plenty of time. That is plenty of holes. That is plenty of photographs.
“I at all times give attention to my preparation, and so once I present up on the primary tee, I simply inform myself to remain affected person, remind myself that I am ready for this, and exit and simply compete.”
That proper there’s what Scheffler is actually speaking about.
