Scottie Scheffler is one of the lucky PGA Tour pros who can make his schedule as long as he plays the required number of events. So, why did he pick the 3M Open in Minnesota?
Scheffler said there were several reasons he decided to make the trip to the Twin Cities this week. First of all, it was scheduling. He had been in Europe for the Scottish Open and the British Open.
“Three weeks off before the playoffs didn't seem like the most ideal way to set up my schedule,” he admitted.
Then he wanted to see if the rumors about the event matched facts.
“This was a tournament that I've heard a lot of good things about, and, so far, everything seems pretty true,” he added. “The people have been tremendous, the fans have been really nice to me so far and the tournament seems to do a really good job just taking care of everybody.”
He said that included taking care of his family while he’s on the golf course and taking care of his caddie, Ted Scott, when Scott is on or off the golf course.
“When everybody around me is getting taken care of as well, it's really easy for us to come and play, and so far this tournament's done a really good job,” Scheffler added.
For example, at tournament check-in, he and his family got an explanation of everything that is going on during the week, activities available for the family.
“We're a bit outside of Minneapolis, so we're in one of the suburbs in a smaller community,” he explained. “The smaller communities within the Tour seem to do a really good job of getting behind the tournament, so there's a lot of activities for our families to do.”
Because Scheffler spends so much time at the golf course, he likes it when there are activities for his wife and children while he’s “working” and as well as things they can all do together.
A big example of super fun, family things that one tournament has is the John Deere, where the company sets up excavators, tractors, things that dig and scoop earth, and things that harvest farm crops. They have safe ways the families can try them out. What 10-year-old wouldn’t love that? What adult wouldn’t like that, unless you run one all day?
For instance, Louis Oosthuizen, now with LIV Golf, used to relish playing in the John Deere because he had a farm in South Africa. He craved the newest and best farm equipment, and it was an easy way for him to see what was available.
Now, it’s unlikely 3M will set up a Post-it competition or have people patching cars with Bondo, but you never know.
Scheffler’s enthusiasm will be music to the ears of Hollis Cavner who heads up Pro Links Sports, a company that runs four PGA Tour Champions tournaments plus the 3M and the Valspar.
In addition, Scheffler had an interesting pro-am partner, Kevin O’Connell, head coach of the Vikings. That was a real plus for Scheffler because he really likes football.
“I love the NFL,” Scheffler confessed, but he’s realistic about meeting players and coaches. “I'm fascinated by what they're able to do, especially the head coach. I think, in football, it's easily the most important position on the team. I mean he's got to handle a lot of different personalities and the Xs and Os.”
While Scheffler didn’t want to annoy him with questions, O’Connell made it easy by offering some information without being asked.
According to Scheffler, O’Connell said, “We've got a couple quarterbacks, so there'll be some competition.”
Speaking of competition, Scheffler was asked about his season. He said he hasn’t reviewed it yet. However, because he was asked about it, he did explain what he tries to do with his putting.
“Statistically, my putting has been very solid this year, so no, I wouldn't say there's anything extra that I would do this week in order to warm up the putter. Most of it is just making sure I'm lined up where I think I'm lined up and then make sure I'm starting it there,” he explained. So maybe, from a fan perspective, his start lines have been a hair off this year.
He also mentioned that he now has to readjust to the faster PGA Tour green speeds.
While the results in majors may not be what Scheffler hoped for, one thing has changed. He is now being referred to as a first name player by golf announcers, a sign that he’s in the Rory category.
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