Scottie Scheffler has emerged as one of the most dominant players in recent PGA Tour history. What he has accomplished over the past three years has now drawn comparisons to Tiger Woods.
He comfortably holds the number 1 ranking in the world. After winning back-to-back games at Ernie’s Place and winning the Players Championship two years in a row, people are starting to wonder if someone is this good at golf if they’re this dominant.
Ahead of the Valspar Championship, Justin Thomas was asked for his thoughts on the post-Tiger era regarding the unique figure leading the sport.
“Everyone’s going to watch Rory and players like him or Jordan.” [Spieth] Or we win by seven or eight points,” Thomas said. “Jordan may have a six-point lead, but he’s talking about Greller in the trees on the 16th and how it feels like it’s OK to slice this 3-wood on the green when you’re not getting anything. We’re going to have a hilarious conversation.” Maybe he’ll make it, maybe he won’t make it, maybe he’ll fail it, but there’s no comparison to the others out there. There is an element of excitement. ”
Thomas essentially implied that in the post-Woods era, leadership figures need personality.
The “other” comment refers to people on tour who may not be as prominent outside of playing.
He was also asked who he thought was the most dominant player of the past 10 years.
Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
“The first person that comes to mind is Scotty,” Thomas said. “I think about dominants, and I think about guys who win four, five, six times a season or stretch…no one can hold a candle to the Scotties the last few years.”
“But to me, domination is about winning over and over and over again, and when no one else has done that like Tiger, obviously, he’s the one who’s done it the most.” I think there is. So I think it’s probably Scotty.”
What Scheffler is doing now on tour is: compared to woods.
Thomas had three or four other names in mind besides the former Texas Longhorn before settling on an answer.
“I thought about myself for a few years. I won eight or 10 times in two or three years,” he said. “I mean, Rory, Jordan, I’m here for a second. DJ. [Dustin Johnson]”
Interestingly, Schaeffler has a reputation for being a bit bland. In recent weeks, golf media has been asking players whether they think Scheffler’s personality is the reason he never became a superstar to the general public.
Obviously he has the game for that.
Scheffler turned pro in 2020 and has made 99 of 118 cuts since then. The 27-year-old has eight wins, seven runner-up finishes, 10 third places, 36 top-fives and 49 top-10s on the PGA Tour.
He’s playing on another level.
But will Thomas prove to be true? Does the PGA Tour need someone more willing to step into the spotlight than Scheffler to truly elevate itself in the post-Woods era? only time will tell.
But one thing is for sure: Scheffler isn’t going anywhere.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
