Let's Not Take Scottie Scheffler For Granted

I guess it’s always been the case. The comparisons. I can’t tell you how many “next jack Nicklaus’ have come down the pike, only to never measure up.

Oddly, Tiger Woods was never referred to as the next Jack Nicklaus, yet, of all that have come before, he came closer than anyone. Tiger was more spectacular in his play than Jack. Jack was methodical, plodding his way to eighteen major championships. Tiger tore them apart. It started in 1997 with his record Masters win. It continued through the 2000 US Open, to the 2005 Masters, and culminating with his 2019 Masters win. He was dynamic. He was exciting. He did things we’d never seen done before. Or since. I don’t know we realized it at the time, but he was spoiling us. He was making us believe that what he accomplished was normal. It wasn’t. We were spoiled.

Which brings me to what Scottie Scheffler accomplished last week at the Byron Nelson. I hate to say it, but it was a reminder of the kind of things Tiger used to do. Opening with a 61. Tying the PGA Tour record for the lowest seventy-two hole score. Winning by a wide margin. The results may have been Tiger like, but the way Scottie goes about his business is more Jack like. Methodical. Plodding.

As I said, while Tiger was doing what he was doing, we didn’t realize or maybe even appreciate it as much as we should. We need to make sure that we realize and appreciate what Scottie has been accomplishing. The Byron Nelson was his fourteenth victory on the Tour, passing his buddy Jordan Spieth. Yes, he only has his two Masters wins, but he’ll be working hard at Quail Hollow next week, trying to secure his third at the PGA Championship.

Tiger spoiled us. It’s early for Scottie. There’s a long road to go. But he’s delivering at a rapid clip. There’s no reason to think he can’t keep it up. Even recent Masters winner Rory McIlroy watches how Scottie attacks a golf course and has said there are things he’s learning from Scottie. It even put some of that into practice on that fateful Sunday a couple of weeks ago.

Let’s revel in what Scottie Scheffler is doing. Besides, he’s one of the most decent human beings you would ever want to meet. This was his first win in 2025, but none of us should be surprised if it springs him on to several wins this year, including, possibly another major. Don’t take it for granted. We might be on the cusp of watching yet another player that may be one of the best to ever play the game. I know, it’s heady stuff for one that’s won fourteen times. But we were spoiled by Tiger, here’s hoping we’re spoiled by Scottie Scheffler for years.