Scottie Scheffler entered the Open Championship with a flawless ball‑striking record but a lingering green‑speed problem that cost him at the Travelers Championship playoff on Sunday.
What happened at the Travelers?
On Sunday, June 30, Scheffler reached the 72nd hole with a one‑stroke lead. His approach landed short, and a first‑putt from 25 feet rolled past the hole, forcing a three‑putt bogey. The miss handed Viktor Hovland a two‑shot advantage. In the playoff, Scheffler’s second‑round approach on the 18th landed five feet from the pin, forcing a clutch par to stay alive, but the earlier mis‑read proved decisive.
Why analysts flag green‑speed control
Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner, both Golf Channel analysts, agreed the swing isn’t the issue. They pointed to Scheffler’s “fractionally off” performance, especially on the 18th green at TPC River Highlands. Lavner noted that in 2023 Scheffler dominated statistically yet won only two events, blaming variance and a few mis‑reads. At the Travelers, Scheffler’s putts on the final green were “a little bit off,” with excessive pace on both his first and second attempts.
How the pattern could affect The Open
The Open’s links courses demand precise speed judgment on firm, fast greens. If Scheffler repeats the Travelers’ green‑speed lapses, a single mis‑read could turn a potential birdie into a bogey, costing him a major title. His nine top‑10 finishes in 14 starts this season prove his overall form, but the margin between victory and runner‑up at majors often hinges on a single putt.
What’s next for Scheffler?
Scheffler heads to the Open with confidence in his ball‑striking—Hoggard called it “the cleanest it’s ever been.” The focus now shifts to sharpening his speed control on the toughest greens. A solid practice round on a similar fast‑green surface could help him lock in the feel needed for the championship. If he can tighten that one weakness, the Open may finally deliver the win that’s eluded him despite multiple runner‑up finishes.
How this fits into his season
This year Scheffler has finished second at the Masters, the RBC Heritage, the Cadillac Championship, and the Travelers. He’s posted a 60 in round two at the Travelers and collected nine top‑10s, yet the “fractionally off” moments keep him from sealing victories. The Open presents the final major of the season, and correcting his green‑speed could turn those near‑misses into a marquee triumph.