Scottie Scheffler’s Approach Earns Praise from Jack Nicklaus Ahead of Memorial Tournament Defence
The 50th edition of the Memorial Tournament is set to tee off this Thursday at Muirfield Village, with defending champion Scottie Scheffler looking to join Tiger Woods as the only repeat winners of the prestigious event. According to an article by NBC Sports, Scheffler has been garnering praise from tournament host Jack Nicklaus, who believes the young golfer’s approach to the game is reminiscent of his own.
"He plays a lot like I did," Nicklaus said, as reported by NBC Sports. "I have always tried to feel like I was climbing a mountain. I never went to a tournament thinking it was my to win. Golf required preparation. It was a process of hitting fairways and greens, always improving."
Scheffler has indeed demonstrated a similar approach to the game, speaking extensively about the importance of being prepared when stepping onto the first tee, having a plan for every hole, and limiting mistakes. This mindset has served him well, with 18 titles worldwide, including the PGA Championship two weeks ago, which marked his third major victory. According to NBC Sports, Scheffler leads the PGA Tour in the statistic that measures tee to green, a feat he has achieved for each of the last two years.
Nicklaus, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time with 18 professional major championships, notes that Scheffler’s ability to play with ease is a key factor in his success. "He hits it left to right, keeps the ball in play, is long when he wants to be long, hits a lot of greens," Nicklaus said, as quoted in the NBC Sports article. "What I like is he does it with ease. He never looks like he’s frustrated about doing anything. He’s very calm about it. It reminds me of the way I played. I tried to be very calm about it, never got flustered."
The Memorial Tournament, a $20 million signature event, boasts a stacked field, although Masters champion Rory McIlroy will not be participating for the first time since 2017. Scheffler, meanwhile, is focused on taking it one shot at a time, rather than looking ahead to the U.S. Open at Oakmont in two weeks’ time. "I am focused only on one shot at a time, but you’re always positioning yourself on a hole," Scheffler said, as reported by NBC Sports. "I would say it’s basically playing one hole at a time. When I step up on the first tee tomorrow, I’m going to remind myself that I’m prepared, I’m ready to play in the tournament. Now it’s all about going out and competing."
Muirfield Village is expected to be lush and soft, following recent rainfall, which could lead to low scores. The winning score under par has been in single digits for each of the last two years, with Scheffler finishing at 8-under 280 to win by one in 2024. According to NBC Sports, Max Homa noted that the course feels firmer than in previous years, with the rough being particularly challenging.
Scheffler’s preparation for the tournament has included getting some rest, which he believes is essential given his busy schedule. He has won in Dallas and the PGA Championship, and then tied for fourth at Colonial the following week. This is his third straight week of competition, and he will then head to the U.S. Open. "Rested enough," Scheffler said, as quoted in the NBC Sports article.
Nicklaus has been instrumental in shaping the Memorial Tournament, which he founded in 1976. He continues to work on the course, seeking feedback from players to ensure it remains a challenging and fair test of golf. Scheffler praised Nicklaus for his dedication to the tournament, saying, "He wants this golf course to be the best test of golf, and so the last couple years he’s just been sitting in player dining basically asking guys what they think of the course." As reported by NBC Sports, Nicklaus’s approach to the game, and his praise for Scheffler, highlights the enduring legacy of the Golden Bear and the high standards he continues to uphold in the world of golf.
