After missing a crucial shot at the Open Championship, Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, found himself in an unexpected and amusing predicament. Scheffler, who had entered the tournament as a favorite, ended his run with a surprising and comical blunder on the 18th hole, failing to clear the so called “ladies’ tee” at Royal Troon. This unexpected turn of events added a touch of humor to the intense competition, reminding everyone that even the best golfers have their off moments.
Scottie Scheffler’s performance at the Open Championship was one of highs and lows. Entering the tournament as the clear favorite, Scheffler had shown promising form throughout the year with six wins, including his recent triumph at the Travelers Championship. However, his performance at Royal Troon took an unexpected turn during the final round.
Scheffler started strong, carding back-to-back 70s in the first two rounds, positioning himself five strokes behind the 36-hole leader, Shane Lowry. By the end of the third round, he had closed the gap to just two strokes behind leader Billy Horschel, thanks to a solid 71. The final round seemed promising as Scottie Scheffler picked up three birdies on the front nine, reaching 4-under after 62 holes. However, a double bogey on the par-4 ninth hole halted his momentum.
As the competition intensified, Scheffler struggled on the back nine, though a birdie on the 16th offered a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, his final hole would become the talk of the tournament for all the wrong reasons.
A Comical End for Scottie Scheffler on the 18th Hole
Heading to the par-4 18th at Royal Troon, Scottie Scheffler was sitting at 3-under for the tournament. Although he was already out of the race for the championship, things took a comical turn when his tee shot failed to clear the so called “women’s tee”, landing in the rough about 150 yards away. This mishap was both unexpected and humorous, leaving Scheffler with a challenging 281 yards to the green.
🔴❌😵 The world #1 fails to reach the ladies tee at 18 pic.twitter.com/lnVywhKPAq
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 21, 2024
Despite reloading for a provisional, Scottie Scheffler managed to find his first ball and took a drop in the dirt. The drama continued as his wayward approach nearly struck his playing partner, Daniel Brown, and his caddie, who had to take cover. Ultimately, Scheffler holed out for a double bogey six, finishing the tournament at 1-under-par and tying for seventh place alongside Jon Rahm and Sungjae Im.
The beauty of golf lies in its unpredictability, and fans were quick to embrace Scottie Scheffler’s relatable mishap. Many took to social media to share their thoughts, finding humor and solidarity in the world number one’s blunder.
One fan quipped, “The world number one stinking it up just like the everyman is capable of. We’ve all been there before.” Another added, “He shanks it in solidarity with the common man. A true leader.” The light-hearted comments continued with remarks such as, “That’s an automatic pants around the ankles for the rest of the hole where I come from,” and “When I hit a crap shot I like to say: ‘even the pros do that.'”
Others found comfort in knowing that even the best players have off days, with one fan saying, “One of us, one of us!” and another humorously questioning, “Does he have to drop his pants to his ankles? What’s the etiquette in pro golf?”
The incident also sparked debates on golf etiquette, with some fans suggesting that Scottie Scheffler’s mishap was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport. The collective response was one of amusement and camaraderie, proving that even in competitive sports, moments of humility and humor can bring people together.
Despite Scottie Scheffler’s unexpected finish, the Open Championship concluded with Xander Schauffele claiming his second major title. Schauffele impressive 6-under 65 in the final round secured him the victory at 9-under, beating Justin Rose and Billy Horschel by two strokes. Rose finished with a 4-under 67, while Horschel, who led for most of the tournament, carded a 68 in the final round.
Scottie Scheffler’s amusing mishap at the 18th hole will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most unexpected and humorous moments of the 2024 Open Championship. Despite the blunder, Scheffler’s performance throughout the tournament showcased his resilience and skill, reminding fans of the unpredictable and entertaining nature of golf.