Scottie Scheffler insists he is "extremely prepared" and his game is sharp ahead of a blockbuster showdown with Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka at the PGA Championship at Valhalla this week.
The world number one has not played a competitive round since winning the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town almost a month ago as he and his wife, Meridith, awaited the birth of their first child. The couple welcomed a baby boy last week.
Meanwhile, world number two McIlroy and the holder of the Wannamaker Trophy Brooks Koepka have rounded into red-hot form. McIlroy heads to Kentucky off the back of successive PGA Tour wins, claiming the Zurich Classic of New Orleans title alongside Shane Lowry before romping to victory at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow on Sunday.
Five-time major champion Koepka is at the top of his game, too, cruising to victory at LIV Golf Singapore earlier this month, and he has a knack for producing his best golf on the biggest stage. But Scheffler made it clear it would be foolish for anyone in the field this week to think the two-time Masters champion might be off his game.
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"I think mentally, [I am] just being as present as I can and be committed to my shots, not worrying about the results of things but just being committed to what I'm doing," he told Golf Channel.
"I want to be as prepared as possible going into an event and standing here today, I feel like I'm extremely prepared and I really feel like my game is in a good spot. I'm excited to get a couple more days of prep work in on the golf course and I'm looking forward to competing this weekend."
The 27-year-old pieced together an incredible run of results before taking his paternity leave, winning four of his past five starts – finishing tied for second place in the other tournament. But he has relished the chance to step away from the game and enjoy the experience of becoming a father.
Scheffler shared a cute picture of his newborn son on Instagram (Scottie Scheffler/Instagram)"I had high expectations of what it would feel like and I think those were far exceeded. It's a pretty amazing feeling. It was fairly challenging leaving the house this morning, but I'm here, I'm committed to playing this week and I'm excited to be out here competing," he said.
"I told my little man when I was leaving that I don't want to leave but I've got to leave. I'm called to come out here and do things to the best of my ability. [My preparation] has been pretty decent actually. It took a little longer than anticipated for him to come out of mom, but I was able to get some good prep work in. Not my usual stuff with him being born in the middle of last week.
"I took a more significant break than I would have, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It was so fun getting to be at home and spend some time with Meridith and him and just hang out and be a dad for a few days. It was fun times at the Scheffler house for sure.
"As the week goes on, I will get more and more immersed in what I'm doing. I'm just trying to do my best to stay as present as I can when I get on the golf course, and when I get home I will be calling home as much as possible."
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