Scheffler fires back at attitude critics with | Golf News

Scottie Scheffler confronted criticism for his “attitude” and lack of “accountability” following his disappointing start to the Masters, but the world No. 1 responded emphatically with an excellent opening to his third spherical.

Four-time major winner Scheffler trailed the chief by a large 12 pictures heading into Saturday’s play, but he mastered Augusta National’s entrance 9 with three birdies and an eagle to place himself as a potential contender over his remaining 27 holes.

Scheffler has endured a lackluster start to the season by his elevated requirements. He captured the American Express in January, but failed to secure a top-10 end in any of his three tournaments main up to the Masters. It got here after Phil Mickelson’s conduct toward the Masters locker room workers in parking zone after his win said it all.

Following a two-over-par 74 on Saturday that dropped him to even par for the event, his on-course demeanor drew criticism from two-time PGA Tour champion and CBS analyst Matt Every.

“I think the attitude’s been poor this year from Scottie,” he said. “Yesterday, he striped it around this place and he did not get a lot out of it.

“He had in all probability three or 4 lip-outs inside 8-10 toes that might have fallen in, and that quantity might have been a little better. An straightforward alternative for him to look annoyed.”

For all the latest news and views from The Masters at Augusta National, visit The Mirror US. “Scottie, a lot of occasions when issues go south or possibly he will get a dangerous break or a lip out, he variety of seems over at [caddie] Ted [Scott] and there’s, I do not know… There’s just not a ton of accountability there all the time. I really feel like I’ve seen a lot more of that yesterday.”

Scheffler indicated his Friday score didn’t accurately represent his performance. He told reporters: “I felt like was actually difficult. I performed actually fairly effectively. I bought very, very tough late in the day yesterday. Then today I felt like I performed a lot better than my rating.

“I got off to a slow start. A few up-and-downs early that I should have had, but I didn’t convert. Then I fought back to get it to even through 12 holes.

“And then the golf green on 13, in all probability my only shot that I might slightly have the opportunity to hit again [after it landed in Rae’s Creek]. Maybe a different determination there. That’s a robust shot, but I felt like I might make one thing occur to that pin.”

He added: “I would love to gap a few more putts. I felt prefer it was rolling good today, but balls just weren’t dropping. Maybe my reads had been a little bit off.

“I felt like I was starting on line, could have been the speed on a couple of putts, but overall today I felt like I definitely played better than my score.”