Medinah, Illinois: Scottie Scheffler may be the undisputed world No.1 and one of golf’s most successful players of the past five years, but his record in team events tells a different story.
Despite winning 25 tournaments worldwide and completing three legs of the career Grand Slam, Scheffler has struggled to replicate that dominance in the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup.
The American owns a 3-5-1 record in two Presidents Cup appearances and a 3-6-3 record in the Ryder Cup. Last year, he avoided going winless at Bethpage Black by defeating Rory McIlroy in the singles, finishing the week with a 1-4-0 record.
Neither Scheffler nor US captain Brandt Snedeker appears overly concerned.
“Scottie Scheffler being Scottie Scheffler is the most important thing for us as a team,” Snedeker said during practice at Medinah. “We just want Scottie to go out there and be comfortable.”
Snedeker noted that even Tiger Woods, widely regarded as one of golf’s greatest players, experienced mixed fortunes in team events. Woods compiled a 13-21-3 Ryder Cup record despite dominating the sport for years, although he enjoyed considerably greater success in the Presidents Cup.
Scheffler made an impressive Ryder Cup debut in 2021 at Whistling Straits, going unbeaten in three matches and defeating Jon Rahm. However, he later went eight consecutive matches across the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup without a victory before partnering Russell Henley to win the opening match of the 2024 Presidents Cup.
The 30-year-old believes part of the challenge may be trying too hard.
“When you look at this format and maybe my record hasn’t matched up to what I think that it should be, could it be trying too hard? I think that’s definitely a factor,” Scheffler said.
“For me, it’s different because you have a partner with you and you’re playing for somebody outside yourself.”
Scheffler has spent practice rounds this week with Sam Burns, one of his closest friends on the PGA Tour. The pair have yet to win together in Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup competition, compiling a 0-3-1 record as a partnership.
Burns admitted those results have been frustrating but said the pair remain focused on helping the United States collect points.
The Americans enter the Presidents Cup as overwhelming favourites and are seeking an 11th consecutive title dating back to 2005.
Scheffler enjoyed another outstanding individual season. He won his first event of the year in California in January and later captured two of the three FedEx Cup Playoff events. His only missed opportunity in the postseason came at the BMW Championship, where he competed despite suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease.
For Scheffler, success this week will not necessarily be measured by a perfect record.
“A successful week for me is not necessarily winning all five matches,” he said. “It’s showing up and controlling what I can control and going out there and doing my best.”
Snedeker echoed that view, stressing that the outcome will depend on the entire American team rather than one player.
“Scottie Scheffler is not going to be the reason we win or lose,” Snedeker said. “It’s going to have to be 12 people pitching in and doing their job.”
