The golfer acknowledged that the laid-back Bahamian setting creates an ideal atmosphere for working out technical issues while maintaining genuine competitive pressure. “Testing things out in competition is a good way of seeing where you are at,” Scheffler explained.
“You can simulate competition at home, but coming out here and playing stroke play is always a bit different. I find this week to be pretty valuable.”
Scheffler noted that the new club immediately caught his eye, which carries more weight with him than any promotional language. “My spin numbers have been really consistent, ball flight’s been consistent,” he stated. “Looking forward to getting it in competition.”
His current testing phase involves the Qi35 model, which boasts customizable weight distribution for superior precision, employing cutting-edge micro-technology that pays dividends for meticulous fine-tuning.
The TaylorMade brand driver carries a starting retail price of $599.99. The Team USA Ryder Cup representative noted that this year’s equipment evaluation process proved “a lot simpler” due to the manufacturer’s improved understanding of his preferences.
He enters Tiger’s tournament as the two-time reigning champion, having dominated in 2023 with a three-stroke victory over Sepp Straka before returning in 2024 to obliterate the competition by six shots ahead of Tom Kim.
These consecutive Hero triumphs place Scheffler in elite company alongside Woods, Viktor Hovland, Graeme McDowell and Davis Love III as the exclusive group of players to capture the tournament multiple times.
When Woods was questioned this week about whether Scheffler is approaching Tiger-esque reliability, the conversation turned reflective.
Scheffler voiced his respect for Woods during his dominant era while recognizing that their generational gap prevented him from witnessing Tiger’s absolute prime.
“He always had the ability to hit many types of shots and was always working extremely hard on his game,” Scheffler observed. “He was never complacent or satisfied.”
