This doesn’t stop. Just a few days after Scottie Scheffler donned his second Green Jacket, we are already in the preview of the next tournament, the RBC Heritage. A designated event.
Golf takes no prisoners. For better or worse. For a Scottie Scheffler who barely has time to enjoy his second Major and for the rest of the field of players present at the Masters who seek to dethrone him as soon as possible. The top five in Augusta make their presence felt in Hilton Head.
The paradox that occurs this week is curious. It could be called the ‘Schefflerian paradox’. On the one hand, it’s impossible to think that the World Number One is not the big favourite this week at the Heritage. If they had to bet an arm on the winner of the tournament there is no doubt that they would put all the chips in Scheffler’s box. The level he is showing makes it hard to think of another possibility. On the other hand, it’s impossible not to think that the streak has to stop at some point. By pure and hard statistics. At some point he has to give in and slow down. In this sport, playing at the level that the Number One is moving is very complicated, but Scheffler has been doing it for many weeks. We have to see how he faces the Masters hangover.
Two years ago after winning in Augusta he took a week off and did not play in Hilton Head. There were no designated tournaments at that time. His return was more gradual as he played the Zurich Classic of New Orleans a week later, in pairs. Official tournament, but with another format and in which he finished in 18th position. It was not until a month after the Masters when he played the Byron Nelson. There he sneaked into the top 15. A week later he missed the cut at the PGA Championship. His rivals sigh for a ‘downturn’ of the style, but as he well remembered in the press room after winning the Masters, Scottie is very hungry for victory.
We will see how he is able to assimilate the victory this year. He seems unbeatable with his three almost consecutive victories, only seasoned with a second place in between. He has not played a round over par all year and yet, the downturn will come sooner or later. Will it be at the Heritage?
By the way, if you want more comparisons with Tiger Woods here comes another very interesting one. The Cypress player was the last player who won a Major and won on the PGA Tour the following week. It was in 2006, when Tiger won the PGA Championship and immediately afterwards at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. 18 years have passed and we will see if Scottie is capable of the feat. Logic says no. Logic says yes. Blessed Schefflerian paradox.
Among the big favourites to dethrone Scottie this week is the defending champion, Matthew Fitzpatrick. The Englishman closed the circle a year ago by winning at the site where he always travelled on holiday with his family from England. He feels at home and will want to prove it again.
There is also a lot of anticipation to see how Ludvig Aberg reacts after his spectacular second place at the Masters. The Swede does not understand deadlines, or logical reasoning. If they ask you about him, say you will see him walking through the top 10. He never fails.
Of course, it will be a great incentive to see how Rory reacts to his umpteenth disappointment in Augusta. In addition, there is also the question of whether all the fuss that has been generated regarding his refusal to the LIV, could affect his performance or if on the contrary it is an extra incentive to his illusion. Will Homa and Morikawa maintain the level shown in Augusta? Many attractions in Hilton Head this week.
The one who will not be this week on Pete Dye’s course is Viktor Hovland. The Dane decided to withdraw from the tournament after failing the cut disastrously at Augusta National. Hopefully we will soon have back the Norwegian who dazzled us at the end of the 2023 season.
