Scottie Scheffler has been the definition of consistency in 2026. With one win, three runner-up finishes, and five top-fives already on the PGA Tour before May, the world number one is putting up numbers that would make most golfers envious. But here's the thing—despite those impressive stats, something just feels off.
The 29-year-old's driving and approach play haven't been up to his usual elite standards, and his swing has looked uncharacteristically out of sync. Brandel Chamblee even called Scheffler's swing "unrecognizable" this season compared to previous years. Scheffler himself insists he's happy with his game, and it's hard to argue when he's posted three straight runner-up finishes. But anyone watching closely can see the frustration—he's been more animated on the course than we've ever seen him.
According to former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, there's one glaring issue Scheffler must fix immediately if he wants to add another major to his collection. Speaking during Sky Sports' coverage of the Cadillac Championship, McGinley pointed to a recurring problem: slow starts.
"Scheffler is coming out of the blocks slowly," McGinley said. "We talk about how great this player is and we haven't seen this consistency since Tiger Woods. Yet he seems to come out of the blocks slow all the time."
McGinley highlighted a pattern that's been costing Scheffler dearly. At the Cadillac Championship, Scheffler opened with a 71 while Cameron Young fired a 64—a deficit that proved insurmountable. At The Masters, he fell 12 shots behind Rory McIlroy early and ended up losing by just one.
"He has got to fix that if he's going to take the next step and win a major championship, which we know he is capable of," McGinley added.
For a player of Scheffler's caliber, the talent is undeniable. But in the world of elite golf, where margins are razor-thin, those slow starts are the difference between another runner-up trophy and a green jacket. If Scheffler can find a way to hit the ground running, there's no telling how many more majors he could add to his resume.