Scottie Scheffler has insisted that completing the career Grand Slam has never been one of his main driving forces, saying he will not view this week’s US Open as a failure if he does not lift the trophy.
The world No 1 arrives at Shinnecock Hills as the pre-tournament favourite and with another chance to add to an already remarkable major record. Scottie Scheffler is a four-time major champion after winning both the PGA Championship and The Open last season, with this week’s US Open giving him his first opportunity to complete the full set of major titles.
Despite the significance of the occasion, Scheffler has played down the pressure surrounding the milestone. He has been one of the most consistent players in the world this season, recording top-three finishes in half of his 12 worldwide starts and finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy at The Masters.
But Scottie Scheffler said his focus remains on preparation, performance, and staying committed to the same approach that has brought him success so far.
Scottie Scheffler said at his pre-tournament press conference
“Would it be a dream to win the U.S. Open? Of course, but at the end of the day, the Grand Slam has never been a motivating factor for me,” Scottie Scheffler said in his pre-tournament press conference. “I always just wanted to be the best version of myself, and that got me this far.
“When it comes to this golf tournament, I’m going to step on the first tee and remind myself I’ve done everything I possibly could to play well. Now it’s just a matter of going out there and trying to execute and going back to enjoying the competition, versus feeling like you have to win for some reason.”
Scottie Scheffler has become a regular contender in the biggest events, posting top-10 finishes in 11 of his last 14 major starts since the beginning of 2023. His season has also included three runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour, underlining his ability to remain in contention even when he has not converted chances into victories.
The expectations around Scheffler have grown with each major success, but he believes judging the week solely by whether he wins would be an unfair measure of performance.
“If I finish second this week, it’s almost like ‘hey, you failed in your first chance to win the career Grand Slam’. Is finishing second a failure?” Scheffler explained.
Scheffler will begin his US Open campaign looking to stay patient, trust his preparation, and avoid letting outside narratives shape how he views the week.
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