CROMWELL, Conn. — The No. 1-ranked player in the world looked like the best player on the planet again Thursday at the Travelers Championship.
Fresh off a surprising tie for 41st at the U.S. Open, Scottie Scheffler shot a 5-under 65 in the first round of the season’s final signature event. Scheffler was once again in control of his swing, making as many putts as he has in his five championships.
“I think I hit it well,” Scheffler said.
“I picked up some tips and improvements on my swing earlier this week. I feel like my swing is a lot better than last week.”
Scheffler called the week “frustrating” after never finishing under par at Pinehurst No. 2. His 65 on Thursday in Connecticut was his first under par score since shooting 1-under 71 in the third round of the Memorial Tournament.
“I struggled last week not seeing the break on the green, I struggled finding the right line,” Scheffler explained.
“I felt like I made a lot of good putts the way I wanted to. I looked up and some putts just weren’t going in. So it’s always a little frustrating at times, but it’s good to hit some good putts on a course that you’re familiar with and see the ball go in.”
Scheffler was two strokes ahead of the field on the green Thursday and ranks ninth among the field, while Scheffler was 1.51 strokes ahead of the field with the putter last week, ranking 70th among the 74 players who made the cut.
Of course, Scheffler switched to a mallet putter before the Arnold Palmer Invitational and won. Since that change, Scheffler has won four more games and his putting has improved dramatically since the start of the season.
Wow, what a shot Scotty took on the 13th hole. He made an eagle here and then a string of birdie holes.
He’s currently -4, two points behind. pic.twitter.com/xfLoOCRi7U
— Jack Mirko (@jack_milko) June 20, 2024
Early Thursday morning, the world number one player recorded three consecutive birdies on his first four holes: from 19 feet on the par-4 second hole, 13 feet on the third hole and then Scheffler birdied from 16 feet on the tricky par-4 fourth hole, as well as an eagle on the par-5 13th. Thanks for the great approach The ball was hit from 256 yards and landed eight feet away.
“I hit a couple of really good shots to give myself a chance,” Scheffler said of the 13th hole.
“Then Max gave a great read. [Homa’s] I was able to make the putt and knock it in.”
Scheffler added another birdie on the par-4 14th hole to finish at 5 under par, but couldn’t capitalize on a good tee shot on the par-4 15th hole, finishing with four straight pars.
The reigning Masters champion struggled to save par last week in North Carolina but should have no problem making it this week. Scheffler had a poor start at the U.S. Open but is expected to be the best player again this week and should intimidate the other competitors.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
