A Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler move that has pro feeling ‘very jealous’

Scottie Scheffler’s dominance on the PGA Tour this season is evident from his impressive statistics. He ranks fourth in strokes gained off the tee, first in strokes gained approach the green, and eighth around the green. However, it’s his putting that remains a work in progress, currently placing him 90th in that category. Despite this, Scheffler has already secured six victories this season, including a prestigious win at the Masters. His success has prompted admiration from fellow professionals, particularly Max Homa, who recently shared his thoughts on Scheffler’s exceptional skill set during an appearance on the No Laying Up podcast.

 

Homa, a six-time Tour winner himself, expressed his admiration for Scheffler’s ability to remain focused on the process rather than the outcome. Homa noted that Scheffler’s mental approach to the game is perhaps his greatest asset, a skill that he finds both admirable and enviable. In fact, Homa revealed that this quality reminds him of Tiger Woods, a player known for his unparalleled prowess on the golf course.

 

During the podcast, Homa recounted an experience from the Masters earlier this year, where he and Jason Day were paired with Tiger Woods for the first two rounds. On the 13th hole, a par-5 that concluded their round after a weather delay, Woods hit a less-than-ideal drive. Despite the challenging conditions—cold temperatures, fading daylight, and strong winds—Woods was faced with a difficult shot. He had to lay up on the 13th, leaving himself with a demanding 6-iron approach to a tricky pin position.

 

Homa described the scene vividly: “Tiger hit a bad drive on 13, and it was windy. Tiger is the best iron player I’ve ever seen—Scottie’s up there, but Tiger’s game is just on another level. It’s fascinating to watch him hit golf shots. Even though he hit a bad drive, he was faced with a tough 6-iron shot to a challenging pin position. He managed to hit the ball right to the middle of the green, just below the hole, about 30 feet away.”

 

Homa and Day observed how Woods maintained an intense focus on executing his shot despite the difficult circumstances. Jason Day commented on Woods’ commitment, noting that even under pressure, Woods seemed unaffected by potential outcomes. This level of concentration, according to Day, is remarkable because it allows the player to block out distractions and focus solely on the shot at hand.

 

Homa drew a parallel between Woods’ mental approach and Scheffler’s. He noted that both players exhibit an extraordinary ability to focus on their chosen shot, a skill that requires immense practice and dedication. “It just seems like those two guys,” Homa said, “from what I hear in their interviews and what I’ve seen, they pick their shot and commit to it fully. It’s an incredibly challenging skill to master, but it’s as significant as any technical skill in golf.”

 

Homa admitted his own envy towards Scheffler’s mental fortitude, acknowledging the effort Scheffler puts into honing this skill. “He is so freaking good at it,” Homa said. “And it’s something I’m very jealous of, but I know he works at it. He talks about it a lot, and it’s clearly something he has put a lot of time into.”

 

In summary, while Scottie Scheffler’s statistical achievements on the PGA Tour are impressive, it’s his ability to remain intensely focused on each shot that has garnered him deep respect from his peers. Max Homa’s reflections on Scheffler’s skill highlight the importance of mental discipline in golf and underscore the unique qualities that set top players like Scheffler and Woods apart from the rest.