Is Scottie Scheffler’s dominance good or bad for golf? Otago Daily Times correspondent Neville Idour attempts to answer that question following Scheffler’s dominant win at The Open.
We have had the Norman era, the Nicklaus era and the Tiger era. Now we have entered the Scheffler era.
Many commentators and fans are asking if this is going to be good for golf and fan engagement. Until the final few holes on the final day at The Open, the answer would have been no.
Throughout the event, the huge gallery of fans were willing Rory McIlroy, the “Pied Piper of Portrush”, to victory. Bryson DeChambeau also attracted a huge following, especially as he charged up the leaderboard after an almost terminal first round when he played as if he had never seen the course.
One commentator described the galleries following Scheffler in the early rounds as sparse by comparison to McIlroy’s and DeChambeau’s. In fact, McIlroy received more applause and adulation walking from a green to a tee than Scheffler had received for three birdies in his first six holes.
Some in the crowd made comments that were out of order. They cheered when Scheffler found a bunker and there were even boos. The biggest cheers greeted his double bogey on the eighth. Thankfully, things improved and were suitably gracious by the 18th.
While it is easy to be in awe of Scheffler’s play, it is hard to feel any connection or love for that brilliance.
As he walks from tee to green to tee, his almost emotionless, expressionless gaze is focused mostly on the ground, almost never acknowledging the applause for his many great shots and recoveries. Rarely does he even look at or towards the fans, and as for high fives, as many players do, he is clearly not interested.
This all ensures a disconnect with the fans, thus depriving them of feeling welcome guests. Because that is what they are, and high-paying ones at that. Without them, professionals would be playing for peanuts.
As one of the TV commentators remarked when McIlroy was on screen putting for birdie: “It is an easy game to like in this country when you have a guy like Rory leading the charge.”
Likewise, DeChambeau has acknowledged his earlier failings and become a Pied Piper for golf with millions of followers. He totally engaged the fans as he charged up the leaderboard in his final three rounds. He knows how to take them on the ride with him and why it is important for the game.
Scheffler’s current dominance is not his problem. It needs his rivals to up their game to compete with him. McIlroy said after his win “he’s been on a different level for the last two years”, heaping praise on him.
While Scheffler probably couldn’t care less, the fans do, and it would be a nice gesture if he could somehow engage a little with the crowds and show even a smidgeon of passion and appreciation for their presence. Surely that can be achieved without diminishing his level of play.
For players like McIlroy, DeChambeau and many others, it probably improves their level of play.
Why not try it, Scottie? It won’t kill you. You might just enjoy it.
