Talks heated up about LIV golfers teeing it off in the PLAYERS but were cooled down with both events hitting the fairways simultaneously. While the PLAYERS Championship was happening at TPC Sawgrass, Florida, LIV Golf Singapore took place at the Sentosa Golf Club in the Asian Country. Joaquin Niemann made short work of the competition, registering a thrilling 5 stroke victory at the fourth LIV event of the year. This was the Chilean golfer’s second win this year having won the LIV Golf Adelaide Event.
His superior performances on the Saudi-backed tour have been brilliant and he currently leads the individual points list by a huge margin over second-placed Jon Rahm. His golfing ability did not go unnoticed as his team Torque GC took to X to hail him as one of the best five players in the world.
The team stated, “Joaquín Niemann has got to be a top 5 player in the world right now.” However, Phil Mickelson was quick to correct the tweet, opining that he is the best player in the world and not just top 5. He said, “Top 5, Try #1.”
Top 5?
Try #1
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) March 16, 2025
That was a not-so-veiled dig at the current No.1 in the Official World Golf Rankings list, Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler had a disappointing outing at The PLAYERS Championship when a victory could have etched his name in the annals of the history of the competition, as he was in the running for three straight victories at TPC Sawgrass.
Scheffler maintained his streak of top-25 finishes this year, with a comfortable T20 finish. But with the high standards he had set last year, his game still leaves a lot more wanting. Scheffler feels positive despite the score of 4 under par. He knows he is almost there.
Scottie Scheffler stays positive despite disappointing PLAYERS title defense
“I feel very close. I think it was definitely challenging with the winds and getting the ball close to the hole. Definitely started hitting some better shots. Starting to feel more comfortable with my irons,” he said.
His stats are on the way up, especially in terms of driving. He ranked 22nd in Strokes Gained off the tee and 51st in driving distance at the WM Phoenix Open. In a tougher field at The PLAYERS Championship, Scheffler ranked 14th in Strokes Gained off the tee and 13th in driving distance. A significant uptick, which the World No.1 had noticed. “The last two weeks I feel like I’ve definitely driven the ball better. Definitely some positives from this week. Yeah, looking forward to another prep week at home and then getting ready for Houston.”
“I’m a competitive guy, and I felt like I could have played a lot better this week. Like I said, I’m really close. I maybe finished the week 4 under par. I felt like I played some better golf than that. Looking forward to fine tuning things next week and then getting ready for Houston.” Scheffler added, indicating that he would not play the upcoming Valspar Championship, happening next week in Palm Harbor. The break would be a welcome relief for Scheffler, who would want to use the time to reflect and compose himself after showing uncharacteristic frustrations on the course at Ponte Vedra, Florida.
Frustrations get the better of Scottie Scheffler
On the third day of proceedings at the TPC Sawgrass, Scheffler was readying his stroke on the 16th hole. Looking to hit the green from 44 yards, his chip landed on the far side of the green and rolled over to the fairway on the side, instead of towards the hole
Scheffler had expected the strong wind to carry the ball to the hole side, hence, he aimed the stroke towards the left side. But the wind failed to produce any pronounceable effect on the ball, leaving him looking very sheepish and exasperated. “How does the wind not move it at all that way?” asked a clearly frustrated Scheffler. An uncharacteristic lack of composure from an otherwise emotionally stable Texan.
Frustrations aside, Scheffler will need to ready himself with the Masters fast approaching. The major would be the true test of his recovery and has nearly a month to get ready for the Augusta National Golf Course. Do you think Scottie Scheffler can add to his major tally at Georgia this year? Or is his rust too much for him to sort it out by then?
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