[Photo: Warren Little]
Australia’s Travis Smyth had some very kind words to say about Scottie Scheffler after playing a practice round with him at Royal Birkdale earlier this week.
We think.
Smyth, who is playing in just his second Open Championship this week, put on a post-round presser performance for the ages following a Thursday 71. He said that while he’s getting better at handling the major championship nerves (it’s just his third major ever), he still “s–t” himself on the first tee. That’s one way of describing butterflies.
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Smyth continued to prove he had quite a way with words when he was asked about the experience of playing with the World No. 1 on Wednesday.
“Watching the precision of his iron play was amazing,” he said of Scheffler. “It was kind of demoralising a little bit. It was like, damn, when I play good, I don’t think I have that in me.”
Demoralising, yes. But motivating, too.
“But it was good. It lights a fire in my stomach and makes me want to work hard,” Smyth added. “Now that I’ve seen what No. 1 in the world looks like, a little bit of a taste — it was only nine holes, but it was a great experience watching him play.”
Smyth also got to watch how Scheffler carries himself, something he does a hell of a job of considering the microscope is on him for every single shot. Yes, Scheffler has flashed a temper on the golf course before, but you’ll never find a clip of him treating anyone poorly. You won’t hear about it, either.
Not surprisingly, Smyth summed it up much better.
“He’s a lovely guy, really down to earth, which I’m happy about. He’s not like a d–khead or anything. So it was good.”
You say “he’s a good guy,” Travis Smyth says “he’s not like a d–khead or anything.” Tomato, tomahto.
