On a windswept Friday at Pebble Beach’s iconic 18th hole, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler found himself in an unlikely spot – standing on the beach, club in hand, with more than just par at stake. This wasn’t just another recovery shot; it was a moment that epitomized his journey back to competition. Despite the precarious position, Scheffler salvaged a remarkable par to complete a round of 70, adding to his opening 67 and positioning himself seven shots off the lead heading into the weekend.
The path to this moment began in his own kitchen during Christmas dinner preparations. A simple act of making ravioli turned into a season-altering incident when Scheffler injured his hand, requiring surgery to remove glass fragments. The mishap forced golf’s top-ranked player to miss the first three PGA Tour events of 2025, making his return at Pebble Beach all the more meaningful.
Inside Scottie Scheffler’s comeback
Speaking with Amanda Balionis as Friday’s challenging conditions swirled around them, Scheffler’s trademark humility shone through. “Yeah, it’s pretty challenging,” he admitted as the Pacific winds whipped across the course. Yet even amid the struggle, his love for the game emerged. “It’s a bit different from around the year, but it’s a fun change of pace,” he reflected before adding with his characteristic self-deprecating humor, “I don’t know how I can describe today as fun.”
