Scottie Scheffler arrived in Albany ready to complete his hat-trick of consecutive victories in Tiger Woods‘ tournament. The course suits him so well that in his previous visits, he has never signed a round over par. And with the serenity and honesty that characterises him, the World Number One acknowledges that, after several weeks of break, only competition reveals the truth. “It’s an interesting question… many times you have to see and feel how things are in competition,” he reflected. After a prolonged break following the Ryder Cup and with the start of his season delayed after the cancellation of the Maui tournament, he admits he arrives “feeling good,” but without absolute certainties.
A Preseason Without Surprises
Last year his planning was marked by an injury. This time, Scheffler is grateful that the routine seems to return to the ideal: “I feel like I’m in a similar routine to last year. I don’t anticipate interruptions this time,” he assured. Although he admitted that “surprises can always happen,” he remains optimistic and focused on an orderly work. However, when asked about the domestic risks of Thanksgiving, he joked: “I don’t cook, I don’t touch a glass.”
Testing Week: New Driver, Same Demands
In Albany, he debuts a new TaylorMade driver that has passed the most important test for him: the look. “This driver fits very well with my eye, and that’s always the first test,” he explained. On a technical level, he assured that “the consistency of spin and ball flight has been very good.”
He recalled that last year’s adaptation was more complex: “Last year I had trouble getting into the Qi35 and we learned a lot about what I need to see in a driver and how it should perform for me.” This time, he notes, the process was more straightforward: “Adrian and the TaylorMade team had a very clear idea of what I needed to see… the testing was much simpler.”
The Hero World Challenge, with its relaxed yet competitive format, is perfect for this. “Testing things in competition is a very valuable way to see where you really are. You can simulate competition at home, but coming here and playing stroke play for four days is different.”
A Love Affair with Albany
The statistics are overwhelming: he has never signed a result over par and has several first and second places. What does this course have? Scheffler responds naturally: “It’s a good course. You have to keep the ball in play.” But he also acknowledges the value of the environment: “It’s a great place to practice, get back into the routine with my coach and with Teddy… people I don’t usually see on holidays.” That’s why he repeats an idea several times: “I find this week very valuable for the start of the next season.”
The Weight of His Numbers and the Comparison with Tiger
When asked if he knew how many PGA Tour statistics he led in 2025, he was blunt: “No. I don’t look at any of that.” Even so, he was satisfied with the consistency: “I think I was quite consistent throughout the year and I’m proud of that.”
The inevitable mention was Tiger Woods. Faced with the comparison, he maintained respect: “I was very young then, I’ve had to watch a lot on YouTube,” he joked. But he was clear in pointing out what he admired about the best Tiger: “He always gave himself a chance to win. He was never complacent, always working hard, always looking to improve.”
Looking to the Future: Schedule, Tour, and Great Memories
Regarding what the ideal PGA Tour schedule should be, he said he doesn’t have a perfect formula, although he made his philosophy clear: “I like having the freedom to choose tournaments, but I’ll play where the best play. I love competition.” After opting out of the Sentry, he doesn’t plan to add tournaments at the start of the year.
When asked to choose his most special memory of 2025, he didn’t hesitate: “Any season where you win majors is special.” And he added: “The Claret Jug is an incredible trophy. I think I underestimated what it feels like to have it at home.” Although, beyond the titles, he highlighted something more intimate: “I’m very proud of the consistency I had and the discipline to remain patient when things weren’t going well at the start of the year.”
He even shared how he celebrated those moments at home: “We had a dinner with some friends and drank from the Jug and the Wanamaker. It was fun.”
A World Number One in Permanent Construction
Scottie Scheffler, perhaps the current greatest symbol of absolute stability in professional golf, recognises himself still in process. He doesn’t seek daily perfection, but consistency: the same that has made him the benchmark of modern golf. In Bahamas, he starts again, although the results say that Albany is almost his own territory. And he does so as always: without fuss, without grand declarations, with his silent mantra: work, routine, and humility. “I don’t know what grade I would give my season, but I do know that I want to keep competing against the best,” he said. And in his case, normally, the best tends to be him.
