Question of the week [March 18-24]: Does Scottie Scheffler have the game to win the grand slam? And do this year's major venues favor his game?
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A Scheffler Slam? Highly unlikely, but oh so tantalizing. No current player has the talent to be so consistent and proof of that talent is evidenced in his tour statistics.
If anyone could, Scottie would be the man, but players on a run in this fickle game of golf for four months is so difficult. A putter that grows cold — as it did for him last year — is one obstacle. A competitor riding his own hot streak is another. Other than Augusta, we don’t really know how Valhalla, Pinehurst or Troon suit his skills, but his driving accuracy and ball striking appear to hold up no matter the track.
Tiger Woods won his version of the slam in 2000-2001. The closet since was Jordan Speith’s 2015 attempt, which he nearly nabbed the third leg at St. Andrews. As I remember, Spieth was a stroke down playing the final holes on a Monday finish in which I was trapped in a car relying on radio sports talk.
Rich Eisen watched and reported Speith drained a putt to likely clinch a chance for the slam. I nearly drove off the road ... and hate that I was not near a TV. As it happened, Eisen misreported and missed a shot. Spieth was not to win by a shot, but to lose by one. Bummer. Emotions went from sky high to a crash landing.
Those emotions are typical of what could be grabbing world-wide attention. If there’s anyone to do it, it’s likely Scheffler, but that’s asking a lot. We got a taste of the drama at the Players as Scheffler dodged bullets on the 72nd hole.
Can’t wait for more ... he’s special.
Gary Stauffenberg
Phoenix, Arizona
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While I concur that Scottie Scheffler has the game to win all four majors, I don’t see it happening. No one can can argue that what we saw at the Players Championship was amazing. Coming from behind as he did was indeed exciting and fun to watch.
That said, I just don’t see the “fire in the belly” that was evident when Tiger Woods won all four majors over 365 days. Only one player has won the grand slam in a calendar year and that was Bobby Jones. In fact, before Jones won it there was no such thing as the grand slam because no one thought it possible. And most will agree, Scheffler is good, but not a name we can compare with the legendary Jones.
Does he have the game to win the career grand slam? Probably. But will he win all four this year? Not gonna happen. Too many strong competitors from the PGA Tour coupled with a couple of names from a certain other tour like Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau who will have something to say or something to prove.
Writers like to talk about senseless diatribe to fill their columns. All that talk will be rampant up once again following the eventual winner in Augusta, Georgia, in a few weeks. This will shift like the gentle breeze at this year's Players tournament following the second leg of the majors.
Paul Vicary
The Villages, Florida
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I’m all in on Scottie Scheffler. He’s a real winner, and he is so mentally focused on his next shot. He seems to always know what it takes, and what to do to beat his closest competitors.
Also, the most fun to watch on TV. Speaks very well on his post-game interviews. A real role model. He’s not cocky, and he gives credit to his competitors for their outstanding play.
He will continue to dominate the PGA Tour, and he would be a good bet to win the grand slam this year.
Rudy Lucero
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Scottie’s game travels and it can win anywhere. And if he could have made any putts over 3 feet in 2023 and the first two months this year, we would be talking Tiger Woods type numbers. No one has the game he has at this time and that’s why he’s probably the only one capable of winning the grand slam today. He has it mentally, as well.
Barry Duckworth
Knoxville Tennessee
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Simple answer is yes. Absolutely has the ball striking, course management, and putting game ability.
At his talent level, it is 90% mental control. Especially now that his putting is A-plus to scoring instead of A-minus.
Mike Powers
Powder Springs, Georgia
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Yes, I believe he can do it. He is the poster boy for the PGA Tour. He still has his second-hand car from his father, has made over $50 million in his short career, does not advertise his life or live the high life like some sport figures do. His parents did a great job raising their son. He gives back and pays forward. Mr. and Mrs. Scheffler, job well done. Scottie is one the main reasons we watch PGA Tour golf.
Brian Nelson
North Haven, Connecticut
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TWO CENTS ON TV COVERAGE
Recently retired, I live in California. So I get to watch LPGA and DP Tour events in Asia live in the evening, and DP tournaments in Europe early Saturday and Sunday morning.
I never worked in radio or TV, but did sales face-to-face many years. And I did sports announcing in high school, studied the art of public speaking and broadcasting a wee bit.
So, my critique on the PGA Tour is that TV focuses too much on the names that its wants to and the announcers talk too much. I think they view themselves as entertainers, not professional announcers. The broadcasters doing European and Asian events are more restrained, and they treat all golfers equally — no fawning, no obsessing. It is easier to be honest about a bad shot if you aren't a cheerleader for certain players.
The other thing I note especially on DP events is they seem to have negotiated a better camera placement on the tee. The camera is always placed near the ground looking up, and at about a 60- or 70-degree angle down from head on — or 20 or 30 degrees up from the right angle. It works for me to watch the swing, not the trajectory. And they almost always show every player in a group hit from the tee box.
Donn Rutkoff
Oceanside, California
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