SOUTHPORT, UK — After Scottie Scheffler’s opening feedback at Tuesday’s press convention forward of the 154th British Open, the British reporter apologized for beginning with a “brutal” query.
“How was your weekend off?” a reporter requested Scheffler. “That is fairly uncommon. What did you do?”
“Whenever you stated ‘brutal,’ I believed it was going to be worse than that,” Scheffler stated.
Scheffler is getting ready for his first golf event in practically 4 years after lacking out on a spot within the final one. He didn’t play final weekend on the Genesis Scottish Open, ending his streak on the PGA Tour with a 78.
“I believe lacking the lower might be the toughest factor to do,” Scheffler stated. “I do not suppose it hurts as a lot as coming so near successful and ending second. I felt coming second at Vacationers damage greater than lacking out on qualifying, however I’d describe lacking out on qualifying as rather more irritating.”
A uncommon missed lower allowed Scheffler to move to Southport two days sooner than anticipated. He labored out on Saturday morning earlier than leaving for the British coast. He performed 18 holes at Royal Birkdale on Sunday, the place he had by no means been in a match, and performed 9 holes on every of the following two days.
The 30-year-old will intention to develop into the primary participant since Padraig Harrington in 2008-09 to win back-to-back British Open titles. Scheffler gained his fourth main final yr at Royal Portrush Golf Membership in Northern Eire.
“You by no means wish to take a weekend off, however once you play protection and also you go right into a event, there’s all the time just a little bit extra to do,” Scheffler stated. “So, although it was fairly irritating, it wasn’t the worst factor on this planet. Simply getting used to the course and getting some further relaxation within the weeks the place the occasions are required, it isn’t the worst factor, even when (it was) fairly irritating.”
Scheffler will play the primary two rounds with LIV Golf League stars Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton. The trio will tee off Thursday within the first spherical at 4:58 a.m. ET and within the second spherical at 10:04 a.m. ET.
Scheffler stated he feels “comfortable” heading into the ultimate main of the season.
“I believe as you get nearer to the top of the season you get just a little drained,” he stated. “Like I stated, I took just a few days off to reset, reset my thoughts, reset my physique and get again to feeling calm and at peace.”
Requested about his heritage, Mr. Scheffler’s informal reply raised some eyebrows.
“I am not taking part in for a spot in historical past. I am not taking part in for something like that, as a result of on the finish of the day, I’ll stay my life and it will finish. On the finish of the day, I’ll go some place else and I am not going to be right here anymore,” he stated. “Legacy and issues like that weren’t actually motivating me.”
Scheffler, who gained seven occasions on the PGA Tour in 2024 and 6 in 2025, is winless since his first begin on Jan. 25 at American Specific. He has 4 runner-up finishes and completed inside the highest 25 in all however one begin.
“I had a really profitable yr, however like I stated, it was irritating at occasions as a result of I had so a few years left and I wasn’t in a position to end it like I’ve the previous few years,” Scheffler stated. “General, I really feel like I perceive why I am taking part in right here and why I am taking part in right here. I am excited to defend my title this week.”
