Scheffler, Mr. Consistency, just one off lead

Scottie Scheffler of the United States and Rory McIlroy | Photo by Andrew Redington / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

AUGUSTA—World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler produced another display of his outstanding consistency, shooting a 6-under-66 on Thursday to end his opening round at the Masters a stroke behind provisional leader Bryson DeChambeau as darkness halted play with nine groups to resume their first round on Friday.

It was a typical Scheffler display, with little drama, few remarkable highlight reel moments but, at the end of the day, a score that underlines why the 27-year-old American is a favorite this week to slide back into the green jacket with a repeat of his win two years ago at Augusta National.

Playing partner Rory McIlroy, who grinded out a 71, saw at close quarters Scheffler’s ability to succeed without much in the way of drama in his bogey-free round.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Scottie Scheffler of the United States follows his putt on the 18th green during the first round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP

“Scottie does such a good job of—it doesn’t look like it’s 6-under par, and then at the end of the day it’s 6-under par. He’s just so efficient with everything,” said the Northern Irishman.

Consistency has led Scheffler to finish in the top 10 in seven of his eight Professional Golfers’ Association Tour events this season, including victories last month in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship and a runner-up effort in the Houston Open.

Playing with calm

It would be a stretch to say that there is “Scottie-mania” among fans at Augusta but there certainly is an appreciation of the way he navigates so many rounds with such calm.

Patience is frequently cited as one of his main qualities, but Scheffler said that hasn’t always come naturally.

“I typically expect a lot out of myself. And so when things aren’t going the way they’re supposed to be, especially when I was younger, I would get pretty frustrated,” he said. “I try to manage myself a lot better than I did back then and I’m seeing some good results of that.

“But days like today, it’s very easy to say, hey, stay patient, don’t make too many mistakes out there, all that stuff, yada yada yada. But all it comes down is hitting good shots and managing your way around the golf course, and I think it’s a lot easier said than done for sure.” —AFP

AFP

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