Scottie Scheffler may have dismissed comparisons to golf legend Tiger Woods following his Open Championship triumph, but the record books might beg to differ.
Scheffler clinched his fourth major championship last weekend, sailing to victory at Royal Portrush by a comfortable margin. This win further solidified the world No. 1’s reign over men’s professional golf in recent years, with the Texan proving himself head and shoulders above the competition.
Yet again, his victory sparked comparisons to Woods, who boasts an impressive 15 major titles and 82 PGA Tour wins throughout his career. However, Scheffler was quick to dismiss these parallels, dubbing them as “silly” last weekend.
“I still think they’re a bit silly,” Scheffler told reporters in Northern Ireland on Sunday. “Tiger won, what, 15 majors? This is my fourth. I just got one-fourth of the way there. I think Tiger stands alone in the game of golf. He was inspirational for me growing up.
“He was a very, very talented guy, and he was a special person to be able to be as good as he was at the game of golf. I don’t focus on that kind of stuff… That’s not what motivates me. I’m not motivated by winning championships.
“I don’t look at the beginning of the year and just say, hey, I want to win X amount of tournaments, I want to win whatever it is.
“I don’t do that. I have dreams and aspirations that I think about, but at the end of the day, when I wake up to practise, I feel like what motivates me is just getting out and getting to live out my dream. I get to play professional golf, and I feel like I’m called to do it to the best of my ability.”
Scheffler’s humble mindset could prove to be the ideal strategy, given that the PGA Tour sensation remains far from matching the statistics needed to mirror a career like Woods’.
Based on recent performances, however, such an achievement might well become a reality if he maintains his current trajectory. According to Golf Digest, Scheffler’s major championship success rate surpasses that of Woods, whose career victory percentage in majors sits at 15.79 percent.
Scheffler’s figure proves slightly superior, reaching 16 percent after his Open triumph. His time in Portrush wasn’t the initial occasion the Open winner had dismissed such comparisons.
“Anytime you can be compared to Tiger, I think it’s really special, but I mean, the guy stands alone, I think, in our game. He really does,” he said after winning The Players last year.
“We all idolize Tiger. He’s been our guy. Watching what he did in special moments over the years is crazy to watch. I’ve learned a lot just from being around him. We’re just very thankful that he’s still a part of our sport.”
