Scottie Scheffler has spent most of his career avoiding the kind of drama that follows other big names in golf. Even after getting arrested at the 2024 PGA Championship, he kept his head down and focused on the golf. So it shouldn’t be a total shock that he sidestepped the Bryson DeChambeau penalty mess on Saturday. But he did something that got people’s attention anyway.
He admitted he’s holding back.
After a frustrating round at The Open Championship where he couldn’t quite get anything going, the world No. 1 was asked about the DeChambeau situation. You know the one. The R&A hit DeChambeau with a two-stroke penalty for flattening grass behind his ball before a swing on the fifth hole Friday. DeChambeau threatened to withdraw. People lost their minds. Rory McIlroy called him out by name. It’s been the biggest story at Royal Liverpool since it happened.
Scheffler didn’t exactly dodge the question, but he didn’t answer it either. At least not in the way reporters were hoping.
“I don’t really have a ton to say on it,” Scheffler told reporters, per Golf.com. “Actually, I do have a ton to say. I haven’t decided exactly what I want to say publicly yet, but I do have some thoughts.”
He paused there. Then he added that now isn’t the time or place. He’s in the middle of a major championship, down six shots to Sam Burns, and he needs to shoot something low on Sunday. Not the moment to unload whatever opinion he’s sitting on.
McIlroy Went There. Scheffler Didn’t.
Earlier Saturday, McIlroy didn’t hold back. He told reporters he’s “not fond” of DeChambeau, accusing him of being performative and attention-seeking. That’s about as blunt as it gets from a guy who usually plays things pretty close to the vest. McIlroy and DeChambeau shared some weird, memorable screen time in Happy Gilmore 2, but whatever goodwill that created seems gone.
Scheffler took a different approach. Part of it might be respect. He also lives in Texas. He also appeared in that same movie. Maybe he feels some loyalty to a fellow Dallas-area pro. But those same factors didn’t stop McIlroy, so maybe it’s just Scheffler being Scheffler. The guy has a knack for staying out of the muck.
Still, the fact that he said he has plenty to say but won’t say it yet is interesting. It means there’s more coming. After The Open, probably. For now, he’s locked in on the Claret Jug.
Scheffler sits at 6-under after an even-par third round. He needs a career Sunday to catch Burns, but he’s the reigning champion for a reason. The DeChambeau saga will still be there when he’s done.
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