Scottie Scheffler: “I find it a little weird you guys are asking me questions about him”

Scottie Scheffler, the world number one golfer, recently found himself in an amusing and slightly awkward situation during a post-round interview at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Having just completed the opening round at TPC Southwind, Scheffler was fielding questions about his game and his fellow competitor, Xander Schauffele, who happened to be standing right next to him.

 

 

 

The two players, both highly ranked and performing strongly, had completed their first round with identical scores of 4-under par, just two shots off the lead. Their shared position on the leaderboard, coupled with their status as top contenders in the FedEx Cup standings, meant that the media were keen to probe into their performance and dynamics.

 

 

 

During the interview, Scheffler was asked to comment on Schauffele’s game, a situation that was made all the more peculiar by Schauffele’s presence. Scheffler, known for his candid and down-to-earth demeanor, found the situation both humorous and a bit awkward. He responded with a touch of light-heartedness, acknowledging the oddity of the question when Schauffele was right there with him.

 

 

 

“I find it a little weird you guys are asking me questions about him and he’s literally right there,” Scheffler said, managing to compose himself before offering his assessment. He went on to praise Schauffele’s consistency and resilience on the course, noting that Schauffele rarely lets a mistake affect his game for long. Scheffler highlighted Schauffele’s impressive ability to bounce back quickly from setbacks and his strong work ethic, which he finds commendable.

 

 

 

“It’s fun just being out here competing [with him]. It’s fun competing with your friends, but we want to beat up on each other, so it’s a lot of fun playing with the best players and competing,” Scheffler added, emphasizing the competitive yet friendly nature of their relationship.

 

 

 

In response to a similar question about Scheffler, Schauffele was equally candid and appreciative of his playing partner’s skills. He described Scheffler’s game as remarkably consistent, noting that Scheffler’s ball striking is often so precise that any miss is minor, either a small pull or push. Schauffele commended Scheffler’s ability to maintain excellent positioning throughout the round, attributing this to both his skill and effective collaboration with his caddie, Teddy Scott.

 

 

 

“He really doesn’t miss a shot often,” Schauffele said, adding that Scheffler’s game could make golf seem “boring” in the best way possible. By this, Schauffele meant that Scheffler’s performance is so steady and reliable that it often appears effortless, a quality that many golfers aspire to achieve.

 

 

 

The interview also touched upon the broader discussion surrounding the potential Player of the Year title, which has been a hot topic given the impressive performances by both players this season. Scheffler has had a standout year with six wins, including a second Masters title, while Schauffele recently secured his first major championships with victories at the PGA Championship and The Open.

 

 

 

As they prepare for the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, which is set to commence on Friday at 3:35 p.m. (GMT+1), both Scheffler and Schauffele will continue to be in the spotlight, with fans and analysts alike watching closely to see how their performances will unfold in the coming days.

 

 

 

In summary, the interaction between Scheffler and Schauffele highlighted not only their mutual respect and competitive spirit but also the light-hearted moments that can arise even in the high-stakes world of professional golf. Their candid remarks about each other’s games and the playful banter underscored the camaraderie that exists among top golfers, even as they vie for top honors on the course.