Opinion: Is Thursday Scottie Scheffler a problem?

During the 2025 season, golf fans watched Scottie Scheffler shine in almost every tournament he played in. He was consistent in shooting below par in every round played, and some of the shots he hit seemed to be unreal. However, at the start of the 2026 PGA Tour season, the 2025 version of Scheffler has seemed to change negatively.

In 2025, Scheffler played 21 tournaments, which totalled 84 rounds. Out of these 84 rounds, Scheffler only had five rounds in the entire season where he shot over par.

His worst tournament last year was the U.S. Open, where he finished +4 but still tied for 7th because everyone struggled in this event. The winner of last year’s U.S. Open was only -1 after the four days, which is rare.

Fast forward to this year, Scheffler already has two over-par rounds and one even-par round. This is only over the course of four tournaments or 20 rounds. However, the interesting aspect of this is that all of these underperforming rounds have come on the first day. This poses the question, “Is Thursday Scottie Scheffler a problem?”

Scheffler started like his usual 2025 self when he was in The American Express and won with a total of -27. All four days, he shot under par with his worst score being a -4, 68 in the third round. After this, is when things started to change.

When the Waste Management Phoenix Open came around, Scheffler started the tournament with a +2, 73 and what many would call a messy scorecard. He had five bogeys, which were matched with five birdies, one double bogey, and seven pars. This round was inconsistent, to say the least.

However, after that Thursday round, Scheffler turned it around and shot a total -17 the next three days to finish T2 at -15. His -7, 64 on Sunday put him one back of the leader but came up just short.

The following week was the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and yet again, golf fans saw the same script. He would come in with an even 72 to start the weekend. Then he would shoot -6, -5, and conclude Sunday with a three eagle round to shoot -9 and finish at T4 at -20.

Looking at the most recent tournament, The Genesis Invitational, Scheffler would have his second over-par round of the season, shooting +3, 74 on the first day. However, the narrative would not change as he then shot -3, -5, -6 to finish T12 at -11.

Despite Scheffler’s struggles on day one of tournaments, it does not pose a problem. He has proved to make comeback after comeback each week after his starting round. However, if these poor rounds begin to bleed into the other three rounds, then a problem may arise.

It is definitely something to be looked at, but for now, Scheffler does not seem to have a problem with his poor Thursday rounds. He is always able to make up for them, and as long as he continues to do so, he will be fine.

Julia Nawalany is a first-year student studying broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email jrn5527@psu.edu