PONTE VEDRA BEACH — Given the way Scottie Scheffler is hitting the golf ball right now, it feels like only two things could stop him: a balky putter, or an injury. He got the former figured out last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which helped him cruise to a five-stroke victory.
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As for the latter, well, Scheffler appeared to be in fine health on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass, where he opened with a five-under 67. On Friday morning, however, Scheffler appeared to be experiencing some discomfort in his neck. The PGA Tour’s Sean Martin was the first to point this out early in Scheffler’s second round:
Scottie rubbing his neck on No. 12 and talking to a rules official about treatment options. Overheard him asking if someone could bring him some Biofreeze. Seems to be dealing with discomfort in his neck. Also one off the lead.
— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) March 15, 2024
Not surprisingly, the World No. 1 was off to a fast start anyway, birdieing his first hole of the day, the par-4 10th, and then making another at the par-3 13th to climb to seven under. At the 14th tee, Scheffler could be seen getting a neck massage while his playing partners, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler, hit their tee shots:
https://twitter.com/PGATOURSMartin/status/1768635923892244744
Scottie Scheffler is one shot off the lead, but getting his neck worked on just off the 14th tee. pic.twitter.com/N7jgitdiEf
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) March 15, 2024
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As of now, Scheffler is just one off the lead of Wyndham Clark. He’s also defending his Players Championship title, and no player has ever gone back-to-back at TPC Sawgrass. Unless his neck takes a turn for the worse, it seems unlikely he would withdraw from such an enormous event. We will provide any important updates as the situation unfolds.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
