Scottie Scheffler reveals change of plan to schedule ahead of BMW Championship

Scottie Scheffler has announced a strategic adjustment to his pre-tournament routine for the upcoming BMW Championship, following the PGA Tour’s decision to permit golf carts during Monday’s practice rounds. Scheffler, who recently secured a solo fourth-place finish at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, is taking advantage of the unique opportunity to refine his preparation ahead of this critical event.

 

 

 

 

At 28, Scheffler continues to dominate the 2024 PGA Tour season. With six victories already under his belt and a commanding lead in the FedEx Cup standings, he holds a significant edge, currently sitting approximately 1,500 points ahead of Xander Schauffele. The BMW Championship, which is set to unfold at Castle Pines Golf Club in Colorado, represents a key moment for Scheffler as he looks to maintain his top position and gain a favorable advantage going into the Tour Championship.

 

 

 

 

Castle Pines Golf Club, a new venue for the PGA Tour’s elite, presents a distinctive challenge due to its high altitude. This geographical factor introduces a different set of dynamics compared to the typical courses on the Tour, affecting both distance and ball flight. In preparation for these conditions, the PGA Tour has allowed players and caddies to use golf carts during practice rounds on Monday, a move aimed at easing the physical strain of the hilly terrain.

 

 

 

 

Scheffler has responded to this development by revising his usual pre-tournament schedule. Traditionally, Monday would be a lighter, off-day for Scheffler, but he plans to use the opportunity to have a full day of practice. He revealed his intention to head to Castle Pines on Sunday night and make the most of the cart accessibility. “I heard we get golf carts tomorrow, so I’m going to enjoy that in the middle of the Playoffs,” Scheffler stated to reporters. “We’re going to go play some golf tomorrow. I’ll probably do a lighter day Tuesday and then I think we have a pro-am Wednesday.”

 

 

 

 

This adjustment reflects Scheffler’s strategic approach, allowing him to adapt his preparation in response to the unique demands of the course. By shifting his intensive practice to Monday, he aims to conserve energy and optimize his performance for the tournament’s start.

 

 

 

 

Scheffler’s confidence in tackling the altitude is bolstered by previous experiences. Earlier in the season, he played at high elevations, including events on the Korn Ferry Tour and a summer stint in Colorado. Scheffler believes that his familiarity with these conditions will benefit him, noting, “I actually played golf at altitude this summer. I do remember a tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour we played at some pretty good elevation—actually two events. One was near Denver, the other one was in Columbia. I’ve played at elevation before. It has its challenges, but I have a system I like to go to and it’s worked decently in the past, so hopefully it continues to work next week.”

 

 

 

 

As he prepares for the BMW Championship, Scheffler enters as a strong favorite with odds of 7/2. He seeks his seventh PGA Tour win of the year and his eighth overall, including a recent Olympic gold medal. Schauffele, who is ranked second in the FedEx Cup standings, is next in the betting odds at 7/1, coming off a tie for second place with Viktor Hovland at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Hovland, the defending champion, won the event last year at Olympia Fields but will now face the challenge of Castle Pines Golf Club.

 

 

 

 

Rory McIlroy, a three-time FedEx Cup champion, will be aiming to rebound from a disappointing performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he finished second to last. His recent struggles have seen him slip from third to fifth in the FedEx Cup standings.

 

 

 

 

The BMW Championship will feature the top 50 players in the season-long FedEx Cup standings, making it a highly competitive field. The event at Castle Pines Golf Club, with its new and challenging conditions, is expected to be a pivotal moment in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

 

 

 

 

The current FedEx Cup standings heading into the BMW Championship are as follows:

 

1. Scottie Scheffler

 

2. Xander Schauffele

 

3. Hideki Matsuyama

 

4. Collin Morikawa

 

5. Rory McIlroy

 

6. Wyndham Clark

 

7. Ludvig Åberg

 

8. Sahith Theegala

 

9. Patrick Cantlay

 

10. Sungjae Im

 

11. Shane Lowry

 

12. Robert MacIntyre

 

13. Akshay Bhatia

 

14. Tony Finau

 

15. Byeong Hun An

 

16. Viktor Hovland

 

17. Russell Henley

 

18. Sam Burns

 

19. Billy Horschel

 

20. Matthieu Pavon

 

21. Aaron Rai

 

22. Justin Thomas

 

23. Christiaan Bezuidenhout

 

24. Sepp Straka

 

25. Jason Day

 

26. Davis Thompson

 

27. Taylor Pendrith

 

28. Tom Hoge

 

29. Brian Harman

 

30. Denny McCarthy

 

31. Tommy Fleetwood

 

32. Chris Kirk

 

33. Corey Conners

 

34. J.T. Poston

 

35. Stephan Jaeger

 

36. Matt Fitzpatrick

 

37. Will Zalatoris

 

38. Austin Eckroat

 

39. Cameron Young

 

40. Thomas Detry

 

41. Adam Scott

 

42. Adam Hadwin

 

43. Max Homa

 

44. Si Woo Kim

 

45. Alex Noren

 

46. Eric Cole

 

47. Max Greyserman

 

48. Nick Dunlap

 

49. Cam Davis

 

50. Keegan Bradley

 

 

 

 

As the players prepare for this challenging and high-stakes event, Scheffler’s strategic adjustment and readiness will be key factors in his quest for the FedEx Cup and the substantial bonus that comes with it.