Fact or Fiction: Scottie Scheffler’s Quest for Grand Slam, Amen Corner Spells Doom
SI Golf’s writers and editors debate whether the world’s No. 1 player can win all four majors, and if he’s the best golfer since Tiger Woods.
Welcome to the post-88th Masters edition of SI Golf’s Fact or Fiction, where we’re already counting down the days to the 89th.
We’re here to debate a series of statements for writers and editors to declare as “Fact” or “Fiction” along with a brief explanation. Responses may also (occasionally) be “Neutral” since there's a lot of gray area in golf.
Do you agree or disagree? Let us know on the SI Golf X account.
Scheffler won his second Masters, is the World No. 1 and last month became the first player to win back-to-back Players Championships. He’s dominating at a level which makes him a legitimate contender to complete the Grand Slam this summer.
Bob Harig: FICTION. He’s dominating, no doubt. But form is fleeting and luck is necessary. He was a big favorite here and he will be again next month at Valhalla but there’s a reason so few have accomplished multiple majors in a season. It's difficult. It’s already been six years since it last happened with Brooks Koepka in 2018.
John Pluym: FICTION. There are so many great players on both tours that it’s probably impossible for a player to win all four majors in one year. That being said, I would not be surprised if we see the “Scheffler Slam,” which would put him right up there with Tiger Woods.
Jeff Ritter: FACT. He’ll go into the PGA Championship as a heavy favorite, and he’s clearly reaching a level of golf we haven’t seen in a while. The next step for him is to win a major outside of Augusta, and it would hardly be a surprise to see him raise the Wanamaker next month.
John Schwarb: FACT. It’s darned near impossible but this doesn’t feel ridiculous. Valhalla feels like a place Scheffler could dominate and Pinehurst requires pinpoint irons. Then if we’re still talking about this in July, how great would that be for golf?
McIlroy finished 4 over, failing to complete the grand slam.
Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Scheffler is the best golfer in the game since Tiger Woods.
Bob Harig: FICTION. I reserve the right to amend this because what he is doing is phenomenal. Scheffler has nine wins in a little more than two years. That’s Tiger-esque. Throw in his amazing consistency—he easily could have won the past two FedEx Cup titles as well—and it’s an impressive run. Rory McIlroy’s post-Tiger golf still seems more impressive but the gap is narrowing.
John Pluym: FACT. He’s great off the tee. He’s one of the best, if not the best, ballstrikers in the game. He’s imaginative around the greens. And it appears as if he finally has his putting stroke figured out. He’s not as exciting or as charismatic as Woods, but he knows how to win. The sky's the limit for the No. 1 player in the world, especially if he can find a way to win multiple majors in the same year. Seems like a pretty good bet for 2024.
Jeff Ritter: FICTION. I’d still place McIlroy as the best “post-prime Tiger” player but Scottie’s quickly closing the gap.
John Schwarb: FACT. Nine wins in 26 months with two Masters and two Players is breathtaking and he could have a long run at world No. 1. These statements can be prisoner-of-the-moment fodder but great golf is great golf, and that is what we’re seeing virtually every time Scheffler plays.
Morikawa's double bogey on the 11th cost him a chance to win the Masters.
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network
On Sunday, Ludvig Aberg, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa all made double bogeys on the 11th or 12th holes to severely cripple their chances. Amen Corner is the toughest stretch in tournament golf.
Bob Harig: FACT. With some deference to the closing holes at TPC Sawgrass, Amen Corner has a way of seeing dreams unravel. It’s amazing that Aberg hit his ball in the water at 11, just as it was to see Homa airmail the green—with what he said was a good shot—at 12. Those holes have ended more than a few dreams.
John Pluym: FACT. How many Masters have been won or lost in that three-hole stretch? Just ask Jordan Spieth and McIlroy. Of the leaders on Sunday, Scheffler was the only player to shoot even par, while the others were at least 1 over. In fact, Scheffler played Amen Corner similar to Woods in 2019. After players had melted down on 11 and 12, Scheffler put his tee shot 40 feet left of the pin and happily took his par. That’s how you win your second Masters.
Jeff Ritter: FACT. Beauty belies the challenge of hitting those shots under suffocating pressure. With all due respect to the Bear Trap, the Snake Pit and others of their ilk, there’s nothing like Amen Corner.
John Schwarb: NEUTRAL. The closing stretch at TPC Sawgrass comes to mind, given the island 17th and the finishing hole that demands a perfect drive and doesn’t let up on the approach. And if you make a mess at Amen Corner, unlike at the Players Championship there are holes left to try to undo it—in theory. But, whew, when hopes drown at 11 and 12, you feel like covering one eye. Unmatched agony on golf’s biggest stage.
