No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, a new dad, hits Valhalla for PGA Championship

LOUISVILLE – Scottie Scheffler arrived at Valhalla on the afternoon of May 13 and began practice for the 106th PGA Championship, but not before he had permission from his newborn son.

The world No. 1, who captured his second Masters in April and is searching for his third Major title, has been idle the past three weeks.

His wife Meredith gave birth to their first child, Bennett, whose arrival on May 8 set the stage for Scheffler to compete for the Wanamaker Trophy.

“I had high expectations of what that would feel like and those were far exceeded. I thought it would be pretty great and it’s a pretty amazing feeling,” the 27-year-old American told The Golf Channel of the whole process.

“It was fairly challenging leaving the house this morning but I’m here, I’m committed to playing this week, I’m excited to be out here competing. I told my little man when I was leaving, ‘I don’t want to leave but I got to leave’.”

His status had been uncertain with no public confirmation of the baby’s arrival. Scheffler added that he was able to “get some good work in, but not my usual stuff” for the Major showdown.

“But I feel like I’m extremely prepared. I feel like I’m in a good spot,” he said.

Scheffler has won four of his past five starts – only a Houston Open play-off loss keeping him from a perfect stretch, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players in March.

“I’m here to do things to the best of my ability. I knew I had to be here today to get some practice in. But it was pretty challenging this morning,” he added.

As for those challenges, Scheffler asked, “If anybody has got any diaper advice, I could use it.”

He spent time on the practice range and short-game area, including chats with defending champion Brooks Koepka and two-time Major winner Jon Rahm, before playing the back nine.

“I’m sure right now he welcomes talking about anything but golf,” said Rahm, a father himself.

Scheffler said he was happy at being able to see players and receive their congratulations.

“As the week goes on, I’ll get more and more immersed in what I’m doing, just try and do my best to stay as present as I can on the golf course,” he said.

Scheffler and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy will tee off on May 16 having won their previous two starts, Scheffler at Augusta National and the Heritage.

McIlroy’s wins came in a pairs event with Ireland’s Shane Lowry and, on May 12, with his fourth career title at Quail Hollow at the Wells Fargo Championship.

The 35-year-old Northern Irishman took his most recent Major victory 10 years ago at Valhalla, edging Phil Mickelson by a stroke for his second PGA Championship.

“I’m a way better player now than I was back then. I haven’t had the Major record to back that up, but I’ve had the wins. I’ve done everything else there is to do in the game since 2014. The only thing I need to do is get another Major,” McIlroy said.

The four-time Major winner has had 20 top-10 finishes since that Valhalla victory a decade ago, which came after two previous wins that season.

Third-ranked Xander Schauffele, seeking his first Major title, has had 21 top-10 finishes since his most recent PGA Tour victory at the 2022 Scottish Open – a 22-month win drought.

Three-time Major winner Jordan Spieth makes a seventh attempt to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the PGA Championship. The American won the 2015 Masters and US Open and 2017 British Open, and his best PGA finish was second in 2015.

Five-time Major winner Koepka won last season at Oak Hill, becoming the first active LIV Golf player to take a Major crown. AFP