Scheffler Struggles Early, Eyes Comeback at Phoenix

The Phoenix Open opened with a surprise for the world number one. Scottie Scheffler, who has won here twice before, started poorly. His first tee shot was a mistake that led to a water penalty. Even the short approach shots were off, and his ball kept rolling back into trouble. In the same group was Chris Gotterup, who had a strong day and took a big lead. Gotterup’s performance made Scheffler the first player to be beaten by more than ten strokes since 2021. Scheffler said the tee is the hardest shot on a course. He explained that although the fairway looks wide, it actually plays very small and can send a ball into water.The error was rare for Scheffler, who is known for precision. It reminded everyone that even top players can have bad days. After the round he skipped media talks and went straight to practice. He has a long streak of making cuts, but that could end if he does not improve. Scheffler’s 17‑game run of top‑ten finishes is also at risk. The pressure is high because the goal for many this weekend is to win the tournament. He needs a big turnaround in the second round. Only then will he be back in contention for a victory.