GOLF: Scottie Scheffler yet to make driver decision ahead of Players

Scottie Scheffler has the chance to become only the second player in golf history to win The Players Championship three times, but the world No. 1 appears undecided on a key equipment choice.

Scheffler spoke calmly Tuesday at TPC Sawgrass about whether he would stick with his new driver, the TaylorMade Qi4D, after switching from the Qi10 last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The change followed fellow stars like Rory McIlroy, but Scheffler finished T24 and never shot better than 70.

“I mean, is it an uncomfortable time of year to be working on it? Not really,” Scheffler said. “You’re always looking for ways to get better. I’m always looking for ways to improve my game.”

He added that new technology has its advantages and drawbacks, depending on how it fits his style of play. “There’s always a fine line in golf,” Scheffler said. “You see guys try to gain speed, but then their irons or distance control can suffer. It’s always a bit of give and take.”

When asked if he would keep the newer driver in his bag for this week’s “fifth major,” Scheffler joked: “That was a really long-winded way of saying no comment. I don’t know if you could pick up on that.”

Scheffler has missed the top 10 in his last two starts, a surprise considering his consistency last year. Beginning with the Houston Open in March 2025, he recorded 15 straight top-10 finishes, including victories at the PGA Championship, The Open Championship, the Memorial, and the BMW Championship. He started this season by winning The American Express but has struggled to find early momentum in tournaments since.

Scheffler won The Players in 2023 and 2024, becoming the first player to win back-to-back at the PGA Tour’s flagship event. Last year, McIlroy claimed the title by beating J.J. Spaun in a playoff.

At 29, Scheffler believes TPC Sawgrass presents challenges unlike those on the regular tour. “You see a variety of winners here. You don’t see one style of player winning this tournament repeatedly,” he said. “The course is unique. Some holes reward length, but others require accuracy and the ability to curve the ball both ways.”

Of course, the island green at the par-3 17th hole remains the course’s signature feature. When asked if Sawgrass needed more water, Scheffler laughed: “There’s a lot of water out there. There’s one hole that’s surrounded by water, in fact.”

—Field Level Media/Reuters