Scottie Scheffler turned up at Royal Birkdale on Monday with a smile, not a scowl, after missing the cut at the Scottish Open the week before.

What happened at The Open practice?

Andrew Coltart, the Sky Sports pundit, admitted he was stunned by how loose Scheffler looked during practice at Royal Birkdale. The world No 1 is the defending Open champion after winning at Royal Portrush 12 months ago, yet he arrived off a patchy season.

Scheffler has not won since his first start of 2026, at The American Express. He missed his first cut since 2022 at the Scottish Open, then flirted with another miss at the Genesis Invitational when he holed a nervy putt on the 18th green in round two. He still finished that round at The Renaissance Club, and Coltart reckoned it did not rattle him.

Why Scheffler’s mood matters

Coltart watched Scheffler work with Josh over in The Open Zone earlier on Monday. “I’ve never seen Scottie Scheffler so relaxed,” he said. “One win, four second places, and he gave himself extra days to come down. I don’t think he’s overdone it. He’s learned the nuances of this course and looks in fine fettle.”

Scheffler’s laid-back vibe runs against the grain for a defending major champ chasing a third straight title. Coltart added that the American seems to have absorbed the missed cut without spiralling into a technical overhaul.

The Open field and Scheffler’s rivals

Scheffler will share the first two rounds in Southport with Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton. DeChambeau, LIV Golf’s talisman, has missed the cut at every major this year. The Open has never suited him; his two top-10s came on Sunday charges. Coltart thinks equipment tweaks have left DeChambeau “messed up” and hunting for the right matchups.

DeChambeau has not played a competitive round since Friday at the US Open. Coltart spotted him on the range with a protractor, checking lie angles on his 3D-printed clubs. “They do call him the scientist,” Coltart said. “Hopefully he can work out those equations.”

What comes next for the world No 1?

Scheffler’s next competitive tee time is Thursday at The Open. Coltart’s take is that the missed cut did not derail the favourite. The course looks familiar after a couple of extra days, and Scheffler’s relaxed state suggests he’s ready to defend—not fret.