Scottie Scheffler Had Priceless Answer to Reporter’s Question About Shanked Shot
Scottie Scheffler, the reigning World No. 1 golfer, demonstrated his remarkable composure and sense of humor at the Tour Championship in Atlanta over the weekend. The tournament was marked by a memorable incident on the 8th hole at East Lake, where Scheffler, despite being in command with a seven-stroke lead, experienced a rare misstep. His shot from a fairway bunker went awry, leading to an unexpected shank that allowed his lead to narrow to just two strokes with 11 holes remaining in the final round.
Despite this setback, Scheffler displayed exceptional resilience and skill. He quickly regained his form and managed to finish strong, ultimately securing a victory at the Tour Championship by a commanding four strokes over runner-up Colin Morikawa. This win not only solidified Scheffler’s status as one of the premier golfers of his generation but also capped off an outstanding year for the 28-year-old.
The win at the Tour Championship was particularly significant as it came on the heels of Scheffler’s impressive performances throughout the season. He had earlier clinched his first Olympic gold medal in the Paris Games and added several prestigious titles to his resume, including the Players Championship, the Masters, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. These achievements marked a historic season for Scheffler, who recorded his seventh official PGA Tour win of the year. This tally is noteworthy as it is the highest number of wins in a single season by any player since Tiger Woods achieved the same feat in 2007.
Following his triumph at the FedEx Cup, Scheffler found himself in a lighthearted mood during the post-tournament interactions with the media. One particular moment stood out when ESPN’s Mark Schlabach posed a question about the infamous shank shot on the 8th hole. The question prompted Scheffler to playfully dissect the mechanics of the mis-hit in a way that was both educational and entertaining.
When asked by Schlabach, “What happened on that shot out of the bunker?” Scheffler responded candidly, “I shanked it.” The exchange took a humorous turn when Schlabach inquired further, “Why did you shank it?” Scheffler, with a grin, provided a detailed yet playful explanation. He mimicked the shape of a golf club with his hands, illustrating the difference between the club’s face and the hosel—the part of the club where a shank occurs.
“There’s the club,” Scheffler began, gesturing with his hands to indicate the straight part of the face and the hosel. “And on that one specifically, I caught too much of that part of the face. Then that’s why it went to the right. So it’s shaped kind of, you know, a little curved… So like if I hit the straight part, it’s going to go that way. And then if I hit this part, it’s going to come toward you.”
His explanation, delivered with a wide smile, showcased Scheffler’s ability to find humor in a challenging situation and to communicate complex golfing concepts in an accessible manner. The playful banter underscored his easygoing personality and added a touch of levity to the post-tournament atmosphere.
Scheffler’s exceptional year, highlighted by his victories and his adept handling of media interactions, reflects a golfer who not only excels on the course but also understands the value of engaging with fans and the media in an authentic and personable way. His performance throughout the season has set a high standard in professional golf, making him one of the most prominent figures in the sport today.
