Putting Dominance: 2 Pro’s that I can’t Wait to See Down The Stretch

Putting: Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion and current king of the PGA Tour, has taken the golfing world by storm in 2024. His relentless ball-striking and strategic prowess are undeniable, but a closer look reveals a fascinating anomaly – his path to the top hasn’t been paved with birdies. While many expected his putting prowess to be a key strength, Scheffler has found success despite ranking far from the top in putting average.

Early Season Struggles: Finding Grooves on the Green

The 2024 season began with a question mark hanging over Scheffler’s putting. Coming off a stellar 2023 where his short game was a weapon, his early performances hinted at a potential weakness. At the American Express in January, while leading in other statistical categories, Scheffler finished a surprising 128th in Strokes Gained: Putting. This wasn’t a one-off blip either. The following weeks saw a similar story unfold. Despite contending at the Genesis Invitational and finishing a respectable T5, his putting remained a work in progress.

Articles began to surface with headlines like “Is Scheffler’s Putting Letting Him Down?” [Almost Average Golf], highlighting the surprising disconnect between his overall dominance and his struggles on the green. Many questioned whether his putting woes could derail his otherwise exceptional season.

A Statistical Enigma: Dominating Despite the Putter

However, Scheffler defied expectations. He showcased an almost superhuman ability to overcome his putting woes. His elite ball-striking, ranking first in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green for most of the season, helped him create numerous birdie opportunities. He led the Tour in Greens in Regulation, a testament to his pinpoint iron play. This meant even with an average putter, he was giving himself enough birdie looks to contend, even win, on a regular basis.

Take a look at the Players Championship in March. Scheffler emerged victorious despite ranking outside the top 30 in putting for the second consecutive year at the tournament. His ball-striking brilliance, coupled with some clutch putting when it mattered most, secured him his second win in a row. This victory further cemented his position as the top-ranked golfer in the world and solidified his reputation as a player who could win even when his putter wasn’t cooperating.

Evolution, Not Revolution: A Shift in Putting Philosophy

While Scheffler’s putting stats remained a talking point, a subtle shift in his approach seemed to be taking place. Articles like “Scheffler Makes Remarkable Look Routine, Wins RBC Heritage Comfortably” [PGA Tour] highlighted his newfound resilience and ability to manage his frustrations on the green.

“I look back to Bay Hill, and I got off to some poor starts there, especially on the greens,” Scheffler said after his RBC Heritage win. “I’m just proud of how quickly I’ve been kind of fighting back from those little mistakes throughout the round and handling the surprises and stuff when it doesn’t really go as planned. I think I’ve become better at managing that.” [PGA Tour]

This newfound mental fortitude seems to be a key factor in Scheffler’s success. He’s not getting discouraged by missed putts; instead, he’s focusing on creating more birdie opportunities and trusting his overall game to carry him through. This approach, combined with his relentless work ethic, has paid dividends.

Scheffler’s Legacy: Redefining Success

Scheffler’s 2024 season is a fascinating case study. He’s rewriting the narrative of what it takes to be a dominant golfer on the PGA Tour. While putting remains an essential skill, Scheffler’s success proves that exceptional ball-striking, strategic course management, and unwavering mental toughness can create a winning formula, even with a less-than-stellar short game.

Looking Ahead: Can Scheffler Sustain His Dominance?

The question remains: can Scheffler maintain this level of dominance without a significant improvement in his putting? Only time will tell. However, his current form suggests that underestimating him would be a mistake. He’s proven himself to be a relentless competitor with an ever-evolving skillset.

But there’s another golfer lurking in the shadows, waiting for his chance to challenge Scheffler’s reign. Jordan Spieth, the young prodigy with a flair for the dramatic, currently sits at number two on the 2024 PGA Tour Putt Average leaderboard. While his ball-striking hasn’t quite matched Scheffler’s brilliance this season, his short game has been on fire.

Spieth’s putting prowess is no secret. He’s known for his exceptional feel and ability to make clutch putts under pressure. In fact, some might argue that his putting carried him to his three major victories early in his career.

Here’s the intriguing part: If Spieth can even marginally improve his ball-striking to get closer to Scheffler’s level, his red-hot putting could propel him to a major championship victory in 2024. Imagine a scenario where Spieth finds his rhythm off the tee and irons, while still maintaining his current putting dominance. That combination could be unstoppable, especially on the notoriously difficult layout of Donald Ross’s masterpiece #2 at Pinehurst.

This potential rivalry between Scheffler and Spieth adds another layer of excitement to the remainder of the season. Scheffler, the ball-striking machine with the newfound mental fortitude, versus Spieth, the putting maestro with a hunger to reclaim his place at the top. Both players are rewriting the narrative of what it takes to win on the PGA Tour, and their contrasting styles could set the stage for some epic battles down the stretch.

Here are some additional thoughts to consider:

• The Majors Test: Historically, major championships often favor the well-rounded player, someone who can excel in all aspects of the game. While Scheffler has defied expectations with his average putting, the pressure and difficulty of the US Open could be a different story. Can his putting hold up under the intense scrutiny of this major championship on Sunday? I say a resounding YES!
• Spieth’s X-Factor: Spieth has always possessed a certain “X-factor” in his game. His ability to rise to the occasion and make clutch putts is undeniable. If he can find a way to translate that magic into his overall game, he could be a major threat this season.

The 2024 PGA Tour season is far from over, and the battle for supremacy is wide open. Scheffler’s dominance has been built on exceptional ball-striking and mental toughness, while Spieth waits in the wings with a red-hot putter and a hunger for redemption. Who will emerge victorious? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the fans are in for a treat and you can bet all your money that their putter has to remain red hot!