Scottie Scheffler’s Bid for Third Straight PGA Tour Win Off to Shaky Start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Scottie Scheffler stubbed a chip shot on the par-4 18th and showed a rare bit of anger, repeatedly tapping the shaft of his wedge against his legs as the ball rolled back to his feet. This uncharacteristic display of frustration set the tone for a challenging first round at the Phoenix Open on Thursday. Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player, got off to a shaky start in his bid to win a third straight PGA Tour start, shooting a 2-over 73.
The frustrating round left Scheffler 10 shots off Chris Gotterup’s early lead and put him in danger of missing a cut for the first time in more than three years. According to the PGA Tour, Scheffler’s last round of even-par or worse came in Round 3 of the Travelers in June (2 over), highlighting the unexpected nature of his performance.
A Season of Success
Scheffler closed out his 2025 season with a win in Napa, California, and opened this season by winning The American Express in Palm Desert, California, for his 20th PGA Tour victory. He had 33 straight rounds under par, with his last round of even-par or worse coming in Round 3 of the Travelers in June (2 over). This impressive streak and his consecutive wins from 2022-23 at TPC Scottdale’s Stadium course made him the favorite to win for the third time at the Phoenix Open.
However, his bid didn’t go as planned, even in ideal scoring conditions. Scheffler got off to a great start, hitting it inside 3 feet for a birdie on the par-4 10th. He immediately bogeyed the next hole when he couldn’t get up and down, then sandwiched two birdies around a bogey at the long par-4 14th. Scheffler added another birdie on 17 before things started to unravel. The double chip on No. 18 led to a bogey, a three-putt on No. 1 added another, and a double bogey came on No. 2 when he chopped it around the 449-yard hole.
Rebound Needed
Scheffler pushed his drive into the right fairway bunker on the par-4, could only advance the ball 54 yards into the left rough, and gouged his third shot short of the green. He was unable to get up and down, leading to a double bogey that pushed him to 2 over. A birdie on No. 3 and the flubbed-chip bogey at No. 8 closed out a 3-over 38 on his second nine, putting Scheffler in need of a low round Friday to avoid missing his first cut since the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Scheffler headed to the range right after his round, hoping to find something that would help him continue the PGA Tour’s longest active streak of cuts made at 65. As reported by The Associated Press, Scheffler’s determination to rectify his game is a testament to his commitment to excellence. With a strong second round, Scheffler can still make a push for his third consecutive win and extend his impressive streak.
