“By Article 34. Martial law. I do what I want, when I want, how I want and wherever I please”.
This phrase from the mouth of the genius Andrés Montes always brought a night-time smile to viewers every time Shaquille O’Neal scored a basket. It was his way of emphasising the insulting dominance that the powerful pivot from New Jersey occasionally imposed on the NBA.
Scottie Scheffler (-11) has his particular Article 34. His own martial law. As soon as he kicks half well, he doesn’t even need anything very special, he is devastating. He does what he wants, when he wants, how he wants and wherever he pleases.
Scheffler today has been the sixth best putter in the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am and is already the leader after delivering a fabulous round of 64 strokes, the best of the day. He has beaten the tournament average by more than two and a half strokes on the greens. Last year this only happened in three rounds throughout the season.
And don’t think that the golfer born in New Jersey, like Shaquille, has put them in from all corners. Not at all. Of the eight birdies he made this Friday, without bogeys, three were given (literally), two came with putts of two and two and a half metres, there was one more of three and a half metres and then, yes, here comes Article 34, one of ten metres and another of twelve. He has putted well, but not rabidly.
What he has done exquisitely is to hit the green. The hallmark of the Scheffler brand. He has caught 17 in regulation. Devastating. It has to be done. It’s not a figure within everyone’s reach at Pebble Beach. By the way, this is the second time he has played this course in competition. The first was at the 2019 US Open. Stop counting.
Scheffler’s blow leaves us with a AT&T Pebble Beach to dip bread in and lick our fingers. The classification is a delight. The world’s Number One shares the lead with Thomas Detry (-11) and Ludvig Aberg (-11). The European force does not let up. In addition, one stroke behind is Patrick Cantlay (-10) and two behind are Justin Thomas (-9), the tireless Matthieu Pavon (-9) and Emiliano Grillo (-9). Finally, making it into the top 10 are Collin Morikawa (-8), Matthew Fitzpatrick (-8), Sam Burns (-8) or Sahith Thegaala (-8). Six players who were in the last Ryder Cup are in the top 10.
If we add to this table that the weekend is very spicy in terms of weather, with rain and wind, and that the Pro Am version has already ended, it turns out that the remaining 36 holes at Pebble Beach are a big deal. Don’t make plans.
Who has fallen out of this beautiful battle is Rory McIlroy (+1). The Northern Irishman has had a bad day on the greens and has signed for 74 strokes. Even for him, it seems impossible that he can win, although we pointed out something similar after the second round at the Dubai Desert Classic and he responded with a “zas, in your face”. The young Nick Dunlap (+6) has also not picked up, for whom his first tournament as a professional after winning the American Express as an amateur, is becoming a ball.
