Scottie Scheffler arrives at TPC Scottsdale this week with history on the line, as he aims to become just the 10th player to successfully three-peat at a PGA Tour event. If he can hoist the trophy on Sunday, Scheffler would join an elite list of golfing legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer to have accomplished the rare feat. With the anticipation building and fans eagerly awaiting the outcome, regulated sportsbooks online are buzzing with activity as enthusiasts wager on Scheffler’s chances of etching his name into the annals of golf history.
Scheffler has emerged as the game’s preeminent player over the last two years, ascending to world No. 1 on the heels of his breakthrough win at TPC Scottsdale in 2022. Since then, his affinity for the rowdy Stadium Course has continued, as he gutted out another victory last year in spite of the boisterous galleries.
This year, Scheffler returned to the site of his first two Tour wins with a chance to further cement his dominance.
Ball-Striking Bonanza Fuels Scheffler’s Success
What has set Scheffler apart during his young career has been his world-class ball-striking ability. Over the past 12 months, he has ranked 1st in total strokes gained, as well as strokes gained off the tee and approach shots. This tee-to-green proficiency has powered his results across all venues.
However, TPC Scottsdale has proven to be an ideal layout for Scheffler’s skills. The 7,261-yard track places a premium on precision and nerves, two of Scheffler’s calling cards.
“Ball-striking around this golf course is important,” Scheffler said ahead of this year’s event. “Dealing with the fans is also important. It provides some fun stuff but also some challenges.”
The statistics back up why TPC Scottsdale suits the 26-year-old so well. Among players with at least 10 career rounds at the course, Scheffler (+3.08 strokes gained per round) trails only Louis Oosthuizen in terms of career performance. Other top ball-strikers like Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama and Jon Rahm also populate the list of TPC Scottsdale’s best historical performers.
“It rewards two types of golfers: those who can hold their nerve and those who thrive as ball-strikers,” said Justin Ray of the NBC broadcast. “Areas heavily tested in major championship environments where Scheffler has separated himself the past two years.”
Crowd Control Critical on Rowdy 16th Hole
While Scheffler has tamed TPC Scottsdale through his first nine career rounds, one hole in particular can undo a tournament in a hurry. The infamous 16th hole has earned a reputation as one of golf’s premier amphitheaters. Its enclosed grandstands surround the 163-yard par 3, intimidating any golfer who fails to hit the green.
“It’s definitely, definitely a lot of fun playing in this event,” Scottie Scheffler remarked. “It’s not as fun getting booed, but it’s fun getting loud cheers when you do something good. But you pay the price when you hit a bad shot, too.”
Last year, Scheffler avoided any hiccups on 16. But two years ago, it took steely resolve to survive the hole en route to breaking through for his first Tour win. After yanking his tee shot left of the green, Scheffler got up-and-down to salvage par, a critical momentum save.
“Dealing with the nerves was harder than dealing with the actual golf course,” Scheffler reflected.
That poise exemplifies why the former University of Texas standout has shined at golf’s biggest events, including his triumph at last year’s Masters. This week, he’ll call upon that resilience again as he faces the 16th hole pressure cooker three more times.
Eagle-Birdie-Eagle Finish Could Cap Three-Peat
While the raucous 16th grabs attention, TPC Scottsdale’s final three holes could ultimately determine the tournament. The risk-reward 15th hole, followed by the drivable 17th, offers a prime opportunity for fireworks coming down the stretch.
In fact, Carlos Ortiz once rattled off eagle-birdie on holes 15 and 16 during his breakthrough victory. And Sahith Theegala learned the hard way about disaster lurking on 17 last year with his crushing double bogey.
“That can result in an eagle-birdie-eagle sprint to the finish line,” NBC’s Ray said. “But it can also produce disaster.”
Once more, Scottie Scheffler looks built for the challenge. His precision off the tee, world-class iron play and steely putting under pressure make for an ideal formula to navigate TPC Scottsdale’s finishing gauntlet.
If Scheffler can survive the rowdy galleries and make his share of clutch putts this week, a historic three-peat coronation could await come Sunday evening. Hoisting that trophy for a third straight year would elevate his status even higher — as one of the game’s preeminent desert warriors.
As Scottie Scheffler embarks on his three-peat quest at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, his journey represents an intersection of talent, determination, and fortitude. Set against TPC Scottsdale’s rich history, his bid could make history alongside legendary golfing figures from days gone by – whether or not this becomes reality remains to be seen; one thing remains certain though; his dominance at TPC Scottsdale over the years stands as proof of his unbreakable spirit and unyielding commitment to excellence – making him an attractive golf betting pick in this year’s event!
