A total of 89 golfers are competing this week in the Masters of Augusta, of which the not insignificant number of 56 have submitted to questions from journalists or the organisation between Monday and Wednesday, in order to gather their opinions before the start of the tournament. Well, of those 56 questioned, only three have spoken about Scottie Scheffler. And in what way…
Sam Burns was asked at the end of the par 3s this Wednesday about what it’s like living with the world’s Number One, as they are sharing a house this week. His response was limited to making a joke about how he likes his meat. Full stop. Not medium rare…
Luke List is the only one who has spoken about him on his own initiative. He was asked on Monday how he sees the world of golf at present and his comment is that we are no longer in the Tiger Woods era, although Scottie Scheffler seems to be pulling away from the rest lately. Nothing more.
Finally, Stewart Hagestad, champion of the Mid Amateur, did elaborate more on Monday, but not about Scheffler’s game, but about the relationship they maintain. They know each other from the Walker Cup, they have shared a good number of amateur tournaments and they played together on Monday. That’s it.
Just a few hours before the start of the first Major of the year, it seems that the best player in the world at the moment does not exist or, at least, goes very unnoticed. How can it be that someone who is exercising Scheffler’s dominance, and who has already won the Masters just two years ago, travels so blatantly under the radar?
It’s really surprising. It’s been 16 years, since 2008, that no player has come to the Masters with more advantage over the Number 2 than Scheffler in the world ranking. Then, the world’s Number One was Tiger Woods and all of golf revolved around his figure. No one doubted that he was the big favourite to win and everyone talked about him in front of and behind the cameras.
Scheffler’s numbers at the Masters are also extraordinary. He has played four times in Augusta and his record is a victory in 2022, tenth place in 2023, eighteenth in 2021 and nineteenth, his worst record, in 2020. Of his 16 rounds in Augusta, twelve have been under par and his average score is 70.69. And the putter, you may be wondering? Well, the year he won he was the fifth best in the tournament in this area, in the strokes to green his worst position in strokes gained approach has been eleventh.
Whether they talk or not, ask or not, remember him or not, Scheffler is the big favourite to win this Masters of Augusta. At least, it won’t be for us…
By the way, everyone is looking at the sky today in Augusta. Late last night, the organisation sent out a statement announcing that the official opening of the gates for fans was being delayed, without yet specifying the access time. It doesn’t look good.
