Scheffler Struggles Early, Eyes Comeback at Phoenix

Scottie Scheffler, a two‑time champion at Phoenix, opened the tournament with an unexpected stumble.
His first tee shot faltered, incurring a water penalty that set the tone for the day.
Even the short approach shots were off, with his ball rolling back into trouble time and again.

In the same group, Chris Gotterup shone brightly, seizing a commanding lead.
Gotterup’s performance made Scheffler the first player since 2021 to be beaten by more than ten strokes.

Scheffler reflected on the difficulty of the tee:

“The fairway looks wide, but it actually plays very small and can send a ball into water.”
He noted that such errors are rare for the precision‑oriented player, reminding everyone that even top golfers can have off days.

After the round, Scheffler bypassed media interviews and headed straight to practice.
With a long streak of making cuts and a 17‑game run of top‑ten finishes on the line, his future success hinges on a strong second round.
The pressure is mounting as many aim for victory this weekend; only a dramatic turnaround can restore Scheffler’s contention.