{"id":388556,"date":"2026-04-08T19:17:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T19:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/388556\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T19:17:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T19:17:07","slug":"id-be-miserable-if-i-let-bad-golf-define-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/388556\/","title":{"rendered":"I’d be miserable if I let bad golf define me"},"content":{"rendered":"

World number one Scottie Scheffler admitted he would be a “pretty miserable person” if he allowed his bad golf to define him.<\/p>\n

The four-time major winner has, by his high standards, endured something of a dip in form since backing up victory in his first event of the year with successive top-four places.<\/p>\n

His three events since have been characterised by late tournament comebacks after poor first rounds \u2013 he has not broken 70 in his first 18 holes since that win at The American Express in January \u2013 but even then his finishes have been tied 12th, tied 24th and tied 22nd.<\/p>\n

But he feels comfortable at Augusta \u2013 “Once you drive down Magnolia Lane, everything else melts away” \u2013 where he has won in two of his last four appearances.<\/p>\n

“Most of the time in golf, you’re probably going to be a little bit disappointed at the end of the week just because there’s only one winner and there\u2019s a lot more losers than that,” he said.<\/p>\n

Watch every shot from Thursday’s Featured Groups on https:\/\/t.co\/rSr9YUhCX2<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/LhDAPrZfAG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

“I would say it\u2019s always been a battle for me trying to strike a balance between continuing to work hard, staying competitive and also not having either my good golf or my bad golf define me.<\/p>\n

“If I let my bad golf define me, I\u2019d be a pretty miserable person.<\/p>\n

“If I let my good golf define me, whether or not it\u2019s a green jacket or an Open Championship, then I\u2019d walk around pretty arrogant all the time and I wouldn\u2019t be very nice to people because I think I\u2019m hot stuff because I won a few golf tournaments.”<\/p>\n

On comparing his recent form to previous years going into the tournament, he added: “That\u2019s a tough one. I try not to look too far in the past, I try not to look too far in the future.<\/p>\n

“For me to think about that, that would take a little bit of work, which I don\u2019t want to do right now.”<\/p>\n

\"\"
\nScheffler and McIlroy (r) at the 2024 renewal<\/p>\n

Scheffler will be looking to reclaim the honour of the green jacket, having twice had it taken away from him \u2013 by Rory McIlroy last year<\/a> and Jon Rahm in 2023.<\/p>\n

He was asked how much easier he thought it was to win the Masters as a former champion, as opposed to successfully defending your title \u2013 which only Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods have done.<\/p>\n

“I think defending can always be difficult but I think that\u2019s mostly just the odds of winning a tournament in back-to-back years,” he added.<\/p>\n

The Masters Day 4 recap: McIlroy clinches career grand slam<\/a><\/p>\n

“That\u2019s just extremely challenging, especially when you look at these major championships.<\/p>\n

“There are some obligations and like at this tournament, there\u2019s some stuff that\u2019s completely new. I think everything\u2019s new when you\u2019re a first-time defending (champion) here.<\/p>\n

“You host the (champions) dinner, that\u2019s a big deal. There\u2019s certain things that go on that maybe would make it a touch more difficult, but I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s anything too substantial.”<\/p>\n

Follow Live Updates of the 2026 Masters on rte.ie\/sport<\/a> from opening tee on Thursday 9 April.<\/p>\n