15 June 2024 , 14:35
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Scottie Scheffler looked to hit resurrect his U.S. Open challenge as the world No. 1 hit the gym hours before teeing off on Saturday.
The two-time Masters champion arrived in Pinehurst as the overwhelming favourite to win the tournament given his scintillating form in 2024. But Scheffler has struggled to find success in any aspect of his game, slipping to five over par through two rounds.
Feeling like there is not time to waste, Scheffler was seen hitting the gym, stretching and pumping iron before hitting the range ahead of his third round. Given his struggles thus far, he is looking for any advantage or jolt to rejuvenate his game.
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Scheffler only just made the weekend after shooting a birdie-less 74 to go alongside his one-over Thursday outing. The last time the 27-year-old missed a cut was at the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship some 22 months ago.
He was in danger of suffering the ignominy of missing the cut on Friday, with Scheffler anxiously waiting after finishing his morning round. The treacherous greens at Pinehurst slowly but surely took out the field, dropping the projected cut line to five-over - and giving Scheffler the chance to tee off this weekend.
“Yesterday I felt like I played really well and got a lot out of my game, which I feel like I've done a good job of this year. Today was kind of the opposite,” Scheffler admitted to reporters.
Scottie Scheffler launched his putter in frustration after missing an opportunity on Friday (Golf Channel)“I felt like, especially the back nine today, I actually hit it really well. I just couldn't get a putt to fall early.”
Scheffler has been on a tear since March. The two-time major champion has tallied five victories - the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship, The Masters, the RBC Heritage, and the Memorial - in his last eight tournaments, including a tie for eighth at his dramatic PGA Championship.
Rory McIlroy even joked the only way to stop Scheffler was to take him to a cell for an hour, referencing the American’s wild arrest at Valhalla. But instead, he has struggled immensely. Perhaps a trip to the gym ahead of his two-ball alongside compatriot Cam Young will spark some life back into Scheffler's game.
Ultimately, other big names were not so lucky when it comes to the cut. Three-time U.S. Open champion Tiger Woods failed to get any breaks en route to a three-over 73 that left him two shots outside the cut, while Phil Mickelson - who has never won the major but finished runner-up a record six times - finished 15 over as he experienced a two-day run to forget.