Last week, Scottie Scheffler showcased his exceptional golf skills with a remarkable par save during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge, just days after winning the PGA Championship by a solid five-shot margin. At Colonial Country Club, Scheffler encountered a challenging situation on the par-4 seventh hole when his tee shot landed deep in the thick grass on a steep slope. Demonstrating remarkable composure, he executed a wedge shot that landed within five metres of the hole, nearly securing a par with his following putt.
Despite a rocky finish to his round, where he played the last seven holes at one over par, Scheffler’s strong start by sinking five birdies and an eagle positioned him well in the tournament, leaving him tied for seventh, six strokes off the lead. Reflecting on his performance, he acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining momentum when aiming for a near-perfect round, conceding that three bogeys hindered his chase for the top spots.
Scheffler, who recently clinched the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in his hometown, is in the hunt for his third consecutive victory, a feat last achieved by Dustin Johnson in 2017 and only previously matched by Ben Hogan in 1946 at this event. After a strong eagle on the 582-metre 11th hole and consecutive birdies around the turn, his progress was somewhat marred by bogeys on 12 and 13, where he faced sand traps.
Despite the setbacks, he managed to rally with birdies on 16 and 17, though he ended with one last bogey on 18 after missing the fairway. Demonstrating his readiness to compete, Scheffler expressed his mental fatigue but felt his game was still in a good place. As he prepares for the final round, he remains focused on overcoming the deficit, drawing on his experience of past players who have rallied from seven strokes behind to claim victory at Colonial.
With a determined attitude, Scheffler aims to improve upon his current performance and potentially etch his name in the record books with a commanding round in the finale.