Scottie Scheffler managed to card a very respectable even 70 fourth round as he did on Saturday to enter the clubhouse as the co-leader alongside the likes of Jon Rahm
Scottie Scheffler watched on in the clubhouse as his US Open title hopes ended(Image: X @JohnnySandbag)
Scottie Scheffler desperately watched on in the clubhouse during the US Open to see if he would make the play-off. Scheffler arrived at Oakmont with high hopes of claiming back-to-back major titles after winning the PGA Championship last month.
Since his victory at Quail Hollow, the world No. 1 successfully defended his title at the Memorial championship. But the notoriously challenging Oakmont course proved to be a different beast, with JJ Spaun instead emerging as the victor after draining a 64-foot birdie putt on the final day.
Scheffler entered Sunday’s final round four-over and managed an even 70, keeping him in the mix alongside Ben Griffin, Jon Rahm, and Russell Henley as clubhouse leaders.
Immediately after his round, the 28-year-old left the green to sign for his score. But he remained at the clubhouse, clinging on to hope that his efforts might secure him a spot in Monday’s playoff, showing the competitiveness within him.
However, those hopes were quashed by Robert MacIntyre. The Scotsman shot an impressive two-under 68, finishing one-over for the tournament and taking the clubhouse lead, therefore knocking out contenders like Scheffler and Rahm.
After a brief delay before facing the media, Scheffler said he finally found his stride on Sunday after three days of struggling. He attributed his improved performance to the rain, claiming Oakmont’s greens were “slower” and “softer.”
Scheffler said: “My first three days, I felt like I was battling the whole time. Today, I hit some shots. I hit some putts that I really thought were going in, hit some lips.
“It was just challenging. There was a lot of pitch on the greens and you got to do a lot right in order to hole putts. I was just right on the edge today.”
Scottie Scheffler fought valiantly in the rain at Oakmont on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
He went on to add: “If I had four days like I did today, I think it would have been a different story. I was playing kind of behind the eight ball most of the week hitting the ball in the rough.
“Overall, proud of how I battled, gave myself a chance, but ultimately didn’t have enough.”
Despite entering the US Open as the clear favourite, Scheffler found himself unable to tame Oakmont’s brutal greens and treacherous rough, leading to an early fall from contention.
