Scheffler searches for form with Masters looming as Åberg leads the way at Players | PGA Tour
There is a robotic element to Scottie Scheffler during periods of success that observing the world No 1 in times of adversity is far more intriguing. There is more – much more – to the American than meets the eye.
This is a golfer who was once reduced to tears after a Ryder Cup trouncing. While all charges were eventually dropped, the mere fact Scheffler found himself in a prison jumpsuit before a round at the 2024 US PGA was highly unusual. Last summer, he was filmed in long and histrionic discussion with his coach amid struggles at the US Open.
The rediscovering of some form in round three of the Players Championship did not meaningfully improve Scheffler’s mood. When asked whether he “found anything” during a late Thursday range session, the 29-year-old jabbed back. “Did I find anything? I think that would imply that I was lost, which is not the case,” Scheffler said. This was a needless riposte to a run-of-the-mill, mundane inquiry which is put to golfers all the time. Did something click, did a penny drop, did a swing thought emerge? There was no need for the snippiness. It did, however, depict a touchy golfer.
“I think I’m always just trying to get a feel for where things are at,” Scheffler added. “Sometimes a little practice helps, and sometimes a little rest helps.”
Scheffler was questioned on the scrap to make the cut, which he unusually encountered late on Friday. “It is more fun fighting to be near the lead is how I would describe it,” he said. We are hardly in the domain of searing insight here. A grim element of the modern world of golf media means players are praised for speaking after rounds, even if answers are monosyllabic. One wonders how Scheffler will react if he ever finds himself in the golfing doldrums.
Perhaps this sums up Scheffler; a sportsman subject to intense scrutiny that he doesn’t much fancy. His Ryder Cup troubles suggest the hullabaloo attached to that event do not sit well.
Scheffler has already won in 2026 but is clearly in the midst of a tricky spell in context of his own lofty standards. He finished in a share of 12th at the Genesis Invitational, tied 24th at last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational and is outside the top 20 of the Players with 18 holes to play. This is a golfer with 79 top 10 finishes from 155 PGA Tour starts. He has been the dominant, undisputed No 1 in the sport for some time. Yet for now – and presumably only for now – something is amiss.
Analysts have picked up on a Scheffler technical change, where an alteration of wrist position has triggered a shorter swing. He is using a driver model from 2024 after failing to find comfort with the latest issue. Scheffler says he is “undecided” on whether to add a competitive stop between Sawgrass and the looming Masters. Saturday’s 67 was his best round of Players week by five.
“I was a little sharper today than I was the first two days,” Scheffler explained. “I felt like I was swinging it better each day of the tournament. Today I hit a few more fairways and was able to give myself a few more looks for birdie.”
As Scheffler makes up the numbers, Ludvig Åberg sits 18 holes from the biggest win of his career. The Swede will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Players following his 71 on day three. Åberg has reached 13 under par, with a dropped shot at the last giving the field cause for hope.
Michael Thorbjornsen is Åberg’s closest challenger after Xander Schauffele faded. Cameron Young is one further shot back. Matt Fitzpatrick was in an excellent position at 10 under before suffering a painful double bogey at the last. Viktor Hovland is alongside his Ryder Cup team-mate at minus eight. Robert MacIntyre is one shot further back after a fine 65, which included an inward half of 32.
