Scottie Scheffler is effectively ready for Augusta Nationwide’s challenges as he chases a 3rd Masters victory in 4 years, however a stuffy nostril and steak knife may supply sterner exams.
Prime-ranked defending champion Scheffler, who injured his proper hand getting ready Christmas dinner, has performed his means again into high kind forward of Thursday’s opening spherical, having completed second two weeks in the past in Houston.
“I really feel very ready,” Scheffler mentioned on Tuesday.
“This 12 months, coming off an harm, was undoubtedly a distinct feeling than I’ve had in the previous couple of years.
“However so far as preparedness goes, that is undoubtedly as ready as I’ve felt going into any occasion this 12 months and I’m excited to get the event going.”
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Scheffler was wanting ahead to the Masters Champions Dinner on Tuesday, however laughed on the notion he would possibly supply a “make your personal ravioli” station as a part of his menu for the winners’ meal.
It was whereas getting ready selfmade ravioli that Scheffler reduce his hand, an harm that required stitches and sidelined him for a number of weeks initially of the 12 months.
“If I used to be making an attempt to take out the competitors, I’d undoubtedly do an indication, one thing alongside these strains, however yeah, hopefully keep away from the accidents,” Scheffler joked.
“Possibly they’ll reduce up my steak for me, I received’t have to make use of a knife or something like that. We’ll see.”
The 28-year-old American was additionally battling a stuffy nostril because of ample pollen on the Augusta Nationwide course famed for its flowers and bushes.
“This rain and pollen out right here. I get out of my automotive within the morning, my eyes begin watering. It’s somewhat bit worse than regular years,” mentioned Scheffler.
“However I really feel good. Able to roll. Sniffles aren’t going to cease me.”
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Little else has been in a position to cease Scheffler, the 2022 and 2024 Masters champion who may match Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the one back-to-back winners. He may additionally equal a Nicklaus feat with three wins in 4 years.
“I actually don’t focus a number of that stuff. I focus so much on the preparation and on the point of play after which I attempt to have angle and strategy the photographs the proper means. And that’s what I outline success as,” Scheffler mentioned.
“Once I step on the primary tee on Thursday, I’m going to remind myself that I’ve finished what I wanted to do to play effectively, and it’s all about going out and competing now.
“I actually attempt to not look an excessive amount of into the previous. I attempt to not look too far into the long run. I similar to to remain within the current and simply go one week at a time.”
Scheffler received 9 occasions final 12 months, together with Paris Olympic gold and the Tour Championship. It’s a scorching streak that had 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm evaluating Scheffler’s season to all-time campaigns from Woods and Vijay Singh.
“What we’ve seen Scottie do during the last three or 4 years is sort of spectacular. His ball-striking degree is excellent,” Rahm mentioned.
“Anytime you have got a 12 months the place you’re being in comparison with Tiger in his prime, I don’t suppose I want so as to add the rest to that.
“Profitable 9 occasions, profitable majors, profitable FedEx Cups and simply all-out being the most effective all through the season is sort of unbelievable.
“That I can keep in mind, the one three gamers which have received 9 occasions in a calendar 12 months in a really very long time have been Scottie, Vijay and Tiger. That’s a really quick listing.”
Such issues additionally spend a short while in Scheffler’s thoughts, particularly when the struggle for one more main title is so shut at hand and a lot relies on reacting to how climate impacts Augusta Nationwide’s undulating and lightning-fast greens.
“Quite a lot of the technique for this place modifications with the circumstances of the course,” Scheffler mentioned.
“Relying on the firmness of the greens, there are specific pins you’ll be able to attempt to assault and sure pins you’ve obtained to keep away from.
“Anytime you’re lacking a fairway out right here, you’re going to be scrambling to make par.”
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World primary Scheffler isn’t taking something with no consideration as he prepares for his Masters title defence at Augusta Nationwide, the place day-after-day brings a recent problem and each rival is a possible risk.
“On the finish of the day, once I tee it up on Thursday, I begin the event even par similar to all people else,” Scheffler advised reporters.
“Final 12 months doesn’t have so much to do with this 12 months, exterior of I can return on a few of the expertise that I’ve had taking part in effectively on this golf course and replicate on that.”
He added: “Let’s say I get off to a foul begin on Thursday, and I can use some stuff that I’ve finished right here the previous few years as confidence to type of flip issues round.
“However on the finish of the day, once I step on there on Thursday, we’re at even par, and it’s a completely new golf event. Final 12 months means nothing.”
Scheffler mentioned Augusta Nationwide, so acquainted as the one course to host a serious yearly, stays a continually altering problem.
“Quite a lot of the golf course modifications with the climate right here,” he mentioned.
“Quite a lot of the technique for this place, I feel, modifications with the circumstances of the course.
“I feel a number of it’s fairly fluid round the way in which you play the course as a result of, relying on the firmness of the greens, there’s sure pins you’ll be able to attempt to assault and there’s sure pins you’ve obtained to keep away from.”
Loads of pundits are tipping world quantity two Rory McIlroy, a two-time winner already this 12 months, to problem for a primary inexperienced jacket that will full the Northern Eire star’s profession grand slam.
Scheffler, nevertheless, mentioned any variety of golfers may emerge as contenders in a discipline that options high PGA Tour and DP World Tour execs — together with reigning PGA Championship and British Open winner Xander Schauffele — together with high LIV Golf gamers who’ve slumped within the rankings however personal formidable main resumes.
That features 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm, reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and five-time main winner Brooks Koepka.
The depth of expertise, Scheffler mentioned, makes it anyone’s event.
“It’s certainly one of our jobs to go on the market and take it,” he mentioned.