[PHOTO: Ross Kinnaird]
Officially, Scottie Scheffler became a father last week. Unofficially, he’s been pro golf’s daddy for a few years.
The two-time reigning PGA Tour Player of Year is the game’s undisputed world No.1 right now, but there were questions about whether his latest life-changing event would affect his play. Well, it took all of two shots to show nothing has changed.
After a booming drive down the right side of the fairway on Valhalla’s opening hole, Scheffler grabbed a 9-iron from 153 metres (167 yards) and did this:
Scottie Scheffler has ARRIVED.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Ky3KNeGNb6
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
EXPECT ANYTHING DIFFERENT?!
Seriously, this guy is amazing. One hop and in for an eagle. On his first official hole as a dad. And his reaction couldn’t be more ho-hum. This guy just expects greatness at this point. Also, so much for him being tired.
“You know that stuff about him needing a few holes to knock off the rust?” CBS’ Trevor Immelman said. “I was just kidding.”
Moments later, as Scheffler retrieved his golf ball from the hole, Jim Nantz added, “Well, this is a golf ball worth saving. Put that one in the nursery.”
Good call, Jim. And what a dream start for Scottie.
That being said, Scheffler, who has won four of his past five starts including the first major of the year at the Masters, has his work cut out for him with Xander Schauffele already posting a PGA Championship record 62. But he’s got a lot of holes – and a lot more potential hole-outs – left this week.
