Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, took proactive steps to address a weakness in his game shortly after the Tour Championship. Recognizing that his putting performance was lacking, Scheffler sought the guidance of renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon. Kenyon promptly flew to Dallas, and the duo embarked on a mission to improve Scheffler’s technique.
During a practice session at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the venue for the upcoming Ryder Cup, Scheffler spoke about his experience with Kenyon. While playful in his remarks, Scheffler acknowledged the candid assessment he received from his coach. He expressed his gratitude for the clarity it provided, stating, “I had a feeling what I was doing wrong. My suspicions were kind of answered.”
Despite securing victories at the WM Phoenix Open and the Players Championship earlier in the year, Scheffler was unable to replicate his success. The primary culprit for this slump was his putting. Despite leading the PGA Tour in other statistical categories, Scheffler ranked poorly in strokes gained: putting, one-putt percentage, and putts per round.
Scheffler highlighted that he had approached the issue incorrectly, previously attempting to compensate for his flawed technique by changing putters. However, this yielded no positive results. The problem lay in the way he moved the putter through the ball, inducing a rise in the toe of the putter during execution. Scheffler’s attempt to rectify the situation by lowering his hands only compounded the issue further.
With Kenyon’s guidance, Scheffler has made progress in correcting the flaws in his putting stroke. He attested to feeling more comfortable on the green, with greater consistency in hitting his desired start line. Scheffler acknowledged that the coaching session with Kenyon provided him with much-needed direction, thereby ending the guessing game he had previously experienced.
Kenyon, renowned for his work with notable golfers such as Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Nicolai Hojgaard, has established himself as a trusted and effective putting coach. This made him a valuable resource for Scheffler in his quest for improvement.
The presence of Kenyon in the American camp during the Ryder Cup drew light-hearted banter from Scheffler, who jokingly warned the coach that his skills would be so effective that he might face an unwelcome reception at his home club upon his return.
Scheffler’s determination to address his weaknesses head-on reflects his commitment to maintaining his position as the top-ranked golfer in the world. By recognizing the importance of shoring up his game in all aspects, he has demonstrated his drive to constantly evolve and improve. With the Ryder Cup on the horizon, Scheffler’s newfound confidence on the green could play a pivotal role in securing victory for the American team.