Scottie Scheffler couldn’t produce the goods at the Genesis as Ludvig Aberg came out on top and the world number one admitted it’s made him realise just how great Tiger Woods is.
Scheffler is coming back from a hand injury suffered over the festive period and he’s yet to hit the heights he found in 2024 this season.
Still, Scheffler managed to finish third and carded a nine-under overall, despite a lot of his game deserting him.
READ MORE: What Rory McIlroy said to a fan who criticised his caddie during the final round of the Genesis Invitational
However, while many will look on it as a positive, Scheffler was pretty downbeat after the final round and admitted that it’s given him fresh perspective on Tiger Woods.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Scottie Scheffler amazed by Tiger Woods after finishing third at the Genesis
As we all know, Tiger Woods has had some rotten and terrible injuries in his career and the fact he’s even able to play is quite remarkable.
And discussing his own injury and comeback, Scheffler admitted that he finds Woods’ ability to perform quite amazing.
“I think I feel pretty bad about where I’m at,” Scheffler conceded. “Overall, you know, coming back after a four-ish-week layoff and not really having a ton of time to prep, I’m pretty pleased.
“Like I said on Friday, I’m trying to do myself to stay patient with myself, which can be tough because I have high expectation and I think when I get out here and start competing, I definitely forget that I had lost some of the progress I made in the offseason. It’s not easy to come out here and play competitive golf at a high level and get right back to where I was last year, losing those weeks that I had at home where I couldn’t do anything.
“I think some of that makes it even more impressive what Tiger’s able to do off of his surgeries and long layoffs and just come out and compete with us is pretty miraculous. I’m trying to give myself a little bit of grace and some patience kind of getting back into the swing of things. I did some things in the last few weeks that I’m happy with and definitely some things that I need to improve.”
Strokes gained stats (Rd3, Genesis 2025) Rory McIlroy Scottie Scheffler
Putting -3.87 -3.14
Around the green +0.72 -0.49
Approach -0.10 -.0.07
Off the tee +1.36 -0.19
Tee to green +1.98 -.0.75
Total -.1.89 -3.89
Credit DataGolf
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Scottie Scheffler reveals his biggest challenge at Torrey Pines
Scheffler’s interview continued after the round and he admitted that trying to plot his way around the course was tricky.
“I mean, around this place I think the biggest challenge is the golf course,” Scheffler admitted. “I think staying patient on the greens is really challenging.
“You can hit a lot of good putts and the ball can not go in the hole, especially late in the day, especially when they’re soft. I think it’s just a constant battle within yourself to stay patient and stay patient with the golf course, especially when I’m pressing coming from behind. Like I said yesterday, I feel like I pressed a bit too much and paid the price for it. Today I did a better job I think managing my way around the course.”
Scheffler, though, needn’t worry too much. He didn’t win in 2024 until after the Genesis so he’s very much fine.
Indeed, if this is Scheffler playing poorly, then the rest of the field will fear for when he starts to play well.
