Scottie Scheffler is apparently in the worst form of his career at the US Open after shooting four consecutive rounds above par for the first time since turning pro in 2018.
The two-time Masters champion was a heavy favorite to claim his third major title at Pinehurst No. 2, coming into the week on the heels of his fifth victory of the season in the Memorial Tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus.
However, Scheffler barely survived the second round on Thursday as he admitted he felt the effects of a grueling weekend at Muirfield Village after Saturday’s third round at 71.
“I thought about that a little bit yesterday afternoon,” the 27-year-old said. “I think when it comes to the prep work for a week, which I know is going to be as tough as this one, I’m looking forward to maybe not playing the week before.
‘I think mainly I’ll be going around Jack’s house, which could be quite close to a US Open setup, especially the way it played this weekend.
Scottie Scheffler, 27, barely survived the second round at the US Open on Thursday
“I did most of my damage there under par at the start of the week, so I think if I go to the major championships, especially the ones that we know will be quite challenging, it might be in my best interest is not to play for the week. for.
“Like I said, those are things I’ll have to figure out later in the year. Those are some of my thoughts as I sat looking at the cut line yesterday afternoon.”
Scheffler did not play the week before winning his second Masters title in three years in April and will not compete in the Genesis Scottish Open ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Troon in July.
The New Jersey native, who reached the halfway mark of five over par after a birdie-free 74 on Friday, carded two birdies and three bogeys on Saturday to remain far behind the field at six over par.
“Another frustrating day,” Scheffler said. “Today was a day where I thought I played a lot better than my score.
‘I’m having a lot of trouble reading these greens. I had a lot of putts today where I felt like I hit the ball really well. I looked up and they didn’t go the way I thought they would.
“I felt like I hit it really nicely the last 27 holes I played, but I just couldn’t hit it close enough, which is tough on this course.”
Scheffler refused to blame the track conditions and some devilish pin positions for his troubles, adding: “I’m thinking about number five yesterday where I made a double.
‘Hit it in the waste area, bad break, I can’t get it on the green. On the next one there is not enough sand under the ball.
“You can blame it on luck or whatever, but I knew I shouldn’t hit the ball there. I knew where to hit him and not where to hit him.
“If you hit the ball in the middle of the fairway, in the middle of the green, you can definitely make 18 pars.”