Scottie Scheffler arrives at Royal Birkdale to defend his Open title after suffering his first missed cut in four years, just days before the start of tournament week.
The world No 1 won the Claret Jug at Portrush in 2025, but he has gone six months without a tournament win heading into this year's defence. Since winning the American Express in January, Scheffler has recorded eight top-five finishes in 14 tournaments, including a fourth-place finish a fortnight ago.
Iron play shows decline
Statistics point to a specific decline in Scheffler's approach play. Between January 2022 and January 2026, he won four majors and 16 other PGA Tour titles. In 2022 he ranked fourth on tour for strokes gained on approach to the green, and he was the outright No 1 on that metric in each of 2023, 2024 and 2025.
This year he ranks 13th in that category. His average proximity to the hole, which had never ranked lower than 12th in the previous three seasons, currently sits at 103rd.
Despite the drop-off, Scheffler finished second at the Masters and fourth at the US Open. Tiger Woods once said that if Scheffler putts great he blows away fields, and if he putts badly he still contends, because of how good a ball-striker he is.
Signs of frustration
Alongside the statistical dip, Scheffler's demeanour has shifted. He has been described as clipped in tone, occasionally dismissive and snappy, including an incident in June in Ohio when he vented at his caddie, Ted Scott, on the course.
His former University of Texas coach, John Fields, has previously described Scheffler as a hot-headed prodigy in his younger days, recalling that he once kicked holes in a gymnasium wall after losing at table tennis.
Preparing at Birkdale
Scheffler left the Scottish Open early, which has given him extra days to prepare at Royal Birkdale ahead of his title defence.
