While life around Scottie Scheffler has changed since he sank the final putt to win last year’s Masters, he’ll keep the same approach and be open to adjustments as he heads out to defend the championship this week.
Besides adding an Olympic gold medal and a FedEx Cup to his mantle, the biggest change for Scheffler is that he became a father for the first time last spring.
“When you get home at the end of the day, Bennett is still going to do pretty much the exact same thing he always does when I get home,” he said Tuesday of his young son. “My work is definitely not going to affect him and definitely going to give a bit of perspective.”
That said, Scheffler has maintained his focus to win a third green jacket after prevailing in two of the past three Masters.
“I think we’re in store for another great tournament,” he said.
How that transpires across the next few days could come with unexpected twists. Scheffler said weather conditions dictate various strategies for Augusta National.
Monday’s practice rounds were cut short due to heavy rain, and there are showers in the forecast for Friday’s second round.
“A lot of the strategy for this place I think changes with the conditions of the course,” he said.
The World No. 1 had seven victories in 2024 but hasn’t won this year. He suffered a hand cut at home in December, requiring minor surgery and resulting in a delay to the beginning of his season.
By now, he’s comfortable with how he has reached this point.
“When I step on the first tee on Thursday, I’m going to remind myself that I’ve done what I needed to do to play well, and it’s all about going out and competing now,” Scheffler said. “I really try not to look too much into the past.”
Scheffler’s past in the Masters has come with great highs. He wasn’t able to pinpoint his most significant shot of his Masters career Tuesday, though he suggested there would be several contenders on such a list.
“It’s really hard to figure out what would be my best shot because I feel like I’ve hit a lot of really important shots, especially on Sunday, in the couple that I’ve won,” he said.
Yet those titles don’t translate into any specific advantage in 2025, Scheffler said.
“Last year doesn’t have a lot to do with this year,” he said, “outside of I can go back on some of the experience that I’ve had playing well on this golf course and reflect on that.”
Scheffler played the front nine Tuesday and planned to tour the back nine Wednesday in advance of the tournament.
The past couple of months have provided good tune-ups for Scheffler. He said there have been encouraging starts in tournaments, but none that he considers a great beginning.
He said he’s trained himself to trust how he feels about his game rather than dwell on specific results. That’s why there’s a confident mindset this week.
“I feel very prepared for this golf tournament,” he said. “This is definitely the most prepared that I’ve felt all year.”
Scheffler tees off in the opening round at 10:15 a.m. Thursday with Justin Thomas and reigning U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain in his group.
–Field Level Media
