Scottie Scheffler confirmed from the first day that he returns to competition as if he hadn’t been ‘inactive’ for almost four months. After signing a brilliant first round of 63 strokes (-9) at the La Quinta course, one of the three played in rotation in the first three rounds, he has positioned himself tied for third place at the American Express, a tournament where, as he himself admits, “you have to keep up the pace from the start”.
The World Number One started the week with particular strength in the first nine holes, where he showed himself to be “very precise”, linking good shots from the tee, solid irons, and several holed putts that made the difference. “I started very well, I was very sharp in the first nine. I made good putts, hit good irons, and many good drives,” the American explained after completing the round.
Scheffler, however, acknowledged that he did not maintain the same level of precision in the second half of the course, although he managed to minimize damage with intelligence and good short game. “In the second half of my round, I wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked, but I handled the situation well and was able to sign a good card,” he noted, satisfied with a start he described as “a good starting point”.
In a tournament that traditionally demands very low scores, with final scores usually around the twenties under par, the Texan made it clear that the key is to find the balance between aggression and patience. “Mentally, you know you have to make birdies, but the most important thing is to put yourself in position and give yourself opportunities. If you start forcing things, you can get into trouble. It’s still golf and it’s still difficult, even if the scores are low,” he reflected.
During the round, Scottie highlighted the sense of control he had throughout the day, especially due to the number of greens in regulation he achieved. “I didn’t feel like I had to fight too hard to save par. It was a mentally easier day because I had many birdie chances and was able to take advantage of some,” he explained. Even when he missed fairways in the second half of the course, he emphasized that he did so “on the right side,” avoiding penalty areas and keeping the ball in play.
The American also emphasized the particular demands of this type of course. “Here you have to keep up the pace. In tournaments where the scores are so low, if you fall behind, it’s much harder to make up ground. A 68 here is falling behind,” he stated emphatically, comparing this scenario to tougher courses like Torrey Pines or Bay Hill, where he considers the pressure can be even less because “you’re never completely out of it”.
Looking ahead to the next two days, before completing the course rotation, Scheffler was optimistic but self-critical. “I’ve started well. I’d like to be a bit more precise with the driver, especially from the tee on the second nine holes, to give myself more chances,” he concluded, convinced that, in a tournament like the American Express, every day counts to stay in the lead pack.
