Scottie Scheffler’s Putting Turnaround Sparks Dominant Season Ahead of The Open

Posted : 15 July 2025

When world number one Scottie Scheffler reached out to renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon in September 2023, he was searching for answers. Already a major champion with two wins earlier that year, Scheffler’s form from tee to green was unmatched—but his putting remained a glaring weakness. Despite dominating in most areas, his inability to convert short putts left him vulnerable under pressure.

At that point, PGA Tour data showed most players made about 90% of putts from four feet. Scheffler, surprisingly, was only making 80%. Despite being the top-ranked player in the world, he languished outside the top 150 in putting stats, and questions about his performance on the greens followed him week after week.

Enter Phil Kenyon—one of the most respected putting coaches in golf. Under Kenyon’s guidance, Scheffler began making adjustments that would quietly set the stage for a career-defining year. Kenyon helped him rebuild confidence in his green reading, altered his putting grip, and—perhaps most significantly—encouraged him to move from a traditional blade to a mallet putter, improving his alignment and consistency.

By February 2024, Scheffler still hadn’t fully turned the corner. After a disappointing finish at the Genesis Invitational, where he tied for 10th, Scheffler confided in longtime friend Brad Payne, admitting he was struggling emotionally and mentally. That candid conversation became a turning point.

Scheffler introduced the mallet putter in his very next tournament—and what followed was a stunning transformation. He went on to win four of his next five events, including a second Masters title with a dominant four-stroke victory. Over the season, he claimed seven PGA Tour titles, his second major of the year at the US PGA Championship, and capped it off with an Olympic gold medal in Paris.

Now heading into The Open Championship, Scheffler arrives in the form of his life, with three wins and seven top-10 finishes in his last 10 events. His resurgence on the greens has helped solidify his position as the world’s most dominant golfer.

Reflecting on Scheffler's success, Kenyon told BBC Sport that seeing him putt with confidence during the 2024 Masters was a special moment. “That was a high point for Scottie after a lot of doubts and criticism about his putting," he said. "For him to find success early in our work together was very rewarding.”

Scheffler’s journey proves that even the best can evolve—and that sometimes, the smallest changes can lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

Scottie Scheffler’s Putting Turnaround Sparks Dominant Season Ahead of The Open

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics