Scottie Scheffler heads into the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale this week under a cloud of uncertainty. The world number one missed the cut at the Scottish Open last week, his first failure to make the weekend in 79 events since August 2022. This alarming setback has raised questions about his ability to defend the Open title he won last year at Royal Portrush.
What went wrong at the Scottish Open?
Scheffler’s struggles were particularly evident in his iron play. According to PGA Tour stats, he lost 1.78 strokes in strokes gained approach, a rare misfire for the Texan. In his last 25 starts, he had only lost strokes once before—at Bay Hill last year. His ball-striking, usually a strength, faltered badly.
Why this is a red flag for Scheffler
Rex Hoggard of The Golf Channel Podcast highlighted the severity of the issue. “This one, I think you have to put up some sort of alarm bells,” Hoggard said. “You have to put a critical eye on it.” Scheffler’s consistency this season—one win and nine top-5 finishes in 15 starts—has masked deeper issues. Now, with his Open defense looming, the cracks are showing.
What comes next for Scheffler?
Despite the concerns, Scheffler remains atop the FedEx Cup points list. His ability to contend in majors is undeniable, but his recent form suggests he must address his iron play urgently. As Hoggard noted, “I’m not quite sure if I make him the favorite going into this week.” The Open at Royal Birkdale will test whether Scheffler can bounce back from this rare setback.