Scottie Scheffler arrives in Northeast Florida in rarefied air: he’s the primary participant in PGA Tour historical past to have an opportunity to win The Gamers Championship on three straight events.
He additionally turned the primary participant to defend his title at TPC Sawgrass final yr, capturing an 8-under 64 on Sunday to storm from behind and eclipse Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, and Xander Schauffele by one.
The yr earlier than, Scheffler received by 5.
He is aware of tips on how to win on this golf course, and has carried out so underneath two utterly totally different circumstances. He defined the secrets and techniques behind his success at TPC Sawgrass, and the way a participant ought to assault it forward of this week’s Gamers Championship.
“You possibly can’t pretend it round this place,” Scheffler mentioned.
“I believe there’s a number of genius in the best way the golf course is designed. There may be some volatility by way of the hazards. That gives a number of volatility for the way the golf course can play, particularly in excessive winds.”
Scheffler then mentioned how the golf course forces the participant to maneuver the ball in each instructions.
“There’s a number of genius within the golf course. Such as you have a look at a gap like No. 1, to fade off the tee is a draw into the inexperienced. You have a look at No. 2, it’s a draw off the tee. No. 4 is a fade off the tee. No. 5 is a fade. No. 6 is a draw. No. 7 is a draw. It calls for various pictures on every gap,” Scheffler mentioned.
“It’s a must to play pictures. If there’s no circumstances, you may play somewhat little bit of robotic golf, however on the finish of the day, I believe you’ve received to indicate up, play pictures, do issues otherwise.”
But, TPC Sawgrass can change from yr to yr, based mostly on the circumstances.
“If it’s delicate and windy, you bought to essentially management your golf ball, hit a number of chippy pictures, management your spin across the greens, after which if it’s agency and windy, you additionally received management your spin however a distinct approach at a distinct peak,” Scheffler defined.
“After which if it’s not windy and agency, you already know you started working the ball into the pins as a result of the greens are agency. The golf course can simply problem you in a wide range of methods, and I believe that’s what makes it a fantastic check.”
Schauffele kind of agreed with this sentiment.
“Somebody who has received the entire package deal goes to play properly right here,” Schauffele mentioned.
“You’re hitting a number of fairways, you may form the ball off the tee, quick sport’s depraved, you will get somewhat little bit of aid on the greens. It’s not like you must putt the lights out of it to play rather well at Sawgrass; when you can strike it across the property, you may give your self somewhat little bit of aid.”
Good ball-striking and accuracy off the tee will at all times assist at TPC Sawgrass. However on the finish of the day, the participant who’s having the most effective week total and has each shot of their bag will emerge victorious.
“It doesn’t swimsuit one sort of participant,” Scheffler added.
“I believe a number of the outcomes you see right here over time for guys the place it’s not a horses-for-courses-type place, it’s simply the fellows who’re enjoying the most effective are going to be on the leaderboard on Sunday. That’s plain and easy.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Observe him on X @jack_milko.
