Scottie Scheffler Trying to Regain Form Before The Masters

Scottie Scheffler won in the desert earlier this year then shifted into his own personal drought.

It is not as if the world’s No. 1 player has not been in contention since. His stay on the West Coast after winning at The American Express near Palm Springs, Calif., included a tie for third place at the WM Phoenix Open and a tie for fourth at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

But those top-five results only happened after Scheffler rallied after almost not making the cut on Friday.

At the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles, Scheffler was 5-over-par through 10 holes before an earlier rain delay forced the remainder of his opening round to be moved to Friday. It got better, but he was still 3 over through his first 18 holes before he came back again to finish tied for 12th.

A move toward the top 10 in the final round of The Players Championship on Sunday would not seem out of the question even after more struggles this week.

Sheffler had an even-par 72 in the opening round at TPC Sawgrass and was at 1 over through the midway point Friday evening. In a continuation of the theme, Scheffler fired a 5-under 67 in Saturday’s third round to move up 25 spots and into a tie for 26th.

In what would be considered impressive resilience for most players on tour, Scheffler’s early form has raised concerns. Off the tee he often appears to be steering his drives. His normally steady short game has been an issue.

What Scheffler continues to possess is a defiance against the odds, which he used to rocket to the top of the game with 20 tour victories and four major titles, including the PGA Championship and Open Championship trophies last year.

Scheffler was asked if a study session on the driving range Friday helped him to find a swing adjustment that he applied to Saturday’s much-improved round.

“Did I find anything?” Scheffler asked, paraphrasing the question. “I think that would imply that I was lost, which is not the case. No, I think I'm always just trying to get a feel for where things are at, and sometimes a little practice helps, and sometimes a little rest helps.”

Scheffler will go into the final round nine shots off the lead so barring an incredible rally he won’t win this week either.

“Not unless (the wind) starts blowing like 30 miles an hour,” Scheffler said with a laugh.

If he can fix what appears to be a shorter backswing with his driver, Scheffler figures to be in contention by the time The Masters arrives in a month. If he can find better touch with his wedges, a third Green Jacket could go into his closet.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is also trying to get his game together and defend his title at Augusta National. McIlroy came into The Players with a back injury, did not play a practice round and sat in the same exact spot as Scheffler through two rounds.

McIlroy fell six places into a tie for 57th with an even-par 72 on Saturday.

Colin Morikawa, who won at Pebble Beach last month, pulled out of The Players with his own back injury.

Perhaps the chase for more club-head speed has some of the game’s stars working as much on their bodies as their swings two months into the season, although Scheffler has not made an ailment known.

“I'm always just trying to get a feel for where my swing's at,” Scheffler said of working overtime on the driving range. “Whenever I can feel the clubhead, I'm in a pretty good spot. If you ever see us practicing, that's typically what I'm trying to (do). If I'm searching for something, that would be kind of what I'm searching for is the feel for the clubhead, and so that way I'm kind of able to see and create shots.”

Scheffler -- and McIlroy and Morikawa, for that matter -- have less than four weeks to figure out their issues before they walk among the pines and azaleas at Augusta.

“Overall, I think I've been in a good spot with how my attitude and commitment has been to my shots,” Scheffler said. “So that, for me, that's a good week.”