AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler insists he doesn’t pay any attention to what he did the at the Masters three years ago … or last year for that matter.
As far as Scheffler is concerned, he’ll enter this week’s 89th Masters not as the defending champion.
Or the No. 1 ranked player in the world.
Or as someone who’s won two of the past three Masters.
Or someone trying to do something only Jack Nicklaus has done: win three Masters in a span of four years.
“I really try not to look too much into the past [and] I try not to look too far into the future,’’ the 28-year-old Scheffler said Tuesday. “I just like to stay in the present and just go one week at a time. When I tee it up on Thursday, I start the tournament even par just like everybody else.
“Last year doesn’t have a lot to do with this year, outside of I can go back on some of the experience that I’ve had playing well on this golf course and reflect on that. When I step on there on Thursday, we’re at even par, and it’s a totally new golf tournament. Last year means nothing.’’
Not according to Jon Rahm, the last player to hold the No. 1 ranking before Scheffler seized it nearly two years ago.
Rahm marveled at Scheffler’s staying power at the top of the rankings.
“It’s always a debate — is it harder to get there or stay there?’’ Rahm said of being No. 1. “And staying there is a lot harder than getting there, I would say. What we’ve seen Scottie do over the last three, four years is quite impressive. His ball-striking level is outstanding.
“Anytime you have a year where you’re being compared to Tiger [Woods] in his prime, I don’t think I need to add anything else to that. Winning nine times, winning majors, winning FedEx Cups and just all-out being the best throughout the season is quite incredible.’’
You, of course, would never know Scheffler is impressed or proud of himself for all the accomplishments, though.
Perhaps that’s his secret sauce, his superpower.
Scheffler will begin his Masters defense in Thursday’s opening round at 10:15 a.m. grouped with Justin Thomas and Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester.
And he’ll do so with one thing in mind: winning this week’s tournament.
Despite that the current run of form he’s been on has had him ranked No. 1 in the world for the past 98 weeks or that he has a chance to make history this week, Scheffler is insisting on voluntary ignorance.
“I really don’t focus a lot of that stuff,’’ he said. “I focus a lot on the preparation and getting ready to play in tournaments, and then I try to, while I’m playing, have a good attitude and approach the shots the right way. And that’s what I define success as.
“When I think about getting ready for this week, when I step on the first tee on Thursday, I’m going to remind myself that I’ve done what I needed to do to play well, and it’s all about going out and competing now.’’
Scheffler has played in six tournaments this season and hasn’t won one.
Considering he bagged seven tournaments last season, that’s news.
He tied for second at the Texas Children’s Open two weeks ago and believes he’s in good form.
“I feel very prepared for this golf tournament,’’ Scheffler said. “This is definitely the most prepared that I’ve felt all year.’’
Scheffler’s season was delayed after he cut his hand with a knife while making homemade ravioli at Christmas time.
He said he was “hoping to avoid the injuries’’ at the annual Champions Dinner, which he was to host Tuesday night as the defending champion.
“Maybe they’ll cut up my steak for me [so] I won’t have to use a knife or anything like that,’’ he said jokingly.
“This year coming off an injury was definitely a different feeling than I’ve had in the last few years. But as far as preparedness goes, this is definitely as prepared as I’ve felt going into any event this year, and I’m excited to get the tournament going.’’
