LA Jolla, CA – Scotty Schaeffler wasn't close to his potential at Torrey Pines.
Still, Schaeffler still tied third, finishing three strokes behind Rudig Åberg, the winner of Genesis's invitees.
“There weren't any of the best this week, but I still found a way to give myself a chance at the tournament,” Schaeffler said.
“There are fewer mistakes over the weekend and there could be another story.”
Schaeffler hit only 30 of the 56 fairways and found only 48 of the 72 greens this week. But he is the best player in the world for a reason, and Sunday's final round proved that.
He fired 10 strokes from 6 under 66 from the previous day. Still, Schaeffler appeared to be dead underwater on the par 4 15th. He was 8 under in the championship, chasing Maverick McNerry in three shots and needed a miracle. There, Schaeffler decides to fire with the left and left flag from the fairway, but is surprised to discover where his balls have come. I found a greenside bunker.
“I hit a really good iron shot on the green there,” Schaeffler said of his approach.
“When I hit it, I felt like I had stuffed it and the ball managed to drift left with the wind from the left, so that really didn't make any sense.”
After that initial shock, Schaeffler settles down, assessing his lies with a trap and decides to aim again. He knew something had to happen and what he had done. Schaeffler stopped it Maintains his hopes of living and winning for the unlikely birdie.
“In a tournament, if you had a one-shot or two-shot lead, you might go left and look at yourself. The way the shot was a bunker, it was kind of on the downslope,” Scheffler said. He talked about the third shot of 15.
“If I play a little left, I'm getting even more up. But I've got some back so I have to aim for the pin and see if I can make something happen, and I'm lucky. I also felt lucky to see that going.”
Unfortunately for Schaeffler, he pulled the tee shot into the greenside bunker in par 3 16th place. He failed to move up and down for par, but ended his chance.
At least you thought.
After two holes, Schaeffler inflated the 3-wood in par 5 18th place. His ball calmed down the flag 15 feet past, giving him an Eagle chance. He had to create a putt to post a 10 underscore. Unfortunately, Schaeffler missed lowside and settled on birdie and 66. But the fact that he filmed at 6pm, when he needed to give the Eagle look is another reason why he is the best player on the planet.
He shot as if he was 15 years old when needed.
Early in the round, he did the same thing. Schaeffler rattled five birdies in his opening nine holes, shot through the leaderboard, and sent shockwaves around the Torrey Pines. He did what he needed to do. He got off to a good start and gave himself a chance. But Schaeffler still showed signs of rust, even in the final round on Sunday. It's an understandable reality considering this week marked only the start of his third season.
“It's not easy to get out here, play competitive golf at a high level, go back to where last year and lose a week in a house where we couldn't do anything. Some of them are Tigers. I think it makes even more impressive what you can do from surgery and long layoffs.
“I'm trying to give myself a little bit of blessing. I've done some of the last few weeks that I'm happy with and definitely need to improve.”
Schaeffler definitely has work to do, but he still ranks third in the field of strokes that scored green from the tee. He had a “C-Plus” game at best, but still won the tournament. Imagine if he has his “B-Minus” game or if he scrambled to an equal 72 in some way on Saturday. He would have won the golf tournament despite not playing anywhere near what he could.
It should scare the rest of the golf world, especially as Schaeffler gets his next start at Bay Hill.
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer who plays SB Nation. Follow him with x @jack_milko.
