Skip to main content

Scottie Scheffler surprisingly picks Ryder Cup week to change putting coach, but there’s a catch

Scheffler has struggled with his putting throughout 2023, so he decided to change his approach at the Ryder Cup.

Scottie Scheffler, Tour Championship, Ryder Cup
Scottie Scheffler, Tour Championship, Ryder Cup
Scottie Scheffler lines up a putt at the 2023 Tour Championship.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Jack Milko has been playing golf since he was five years old. He has yet to record a hole-in-one, but he did secure an M.A. in Sports Journalism from St. Bonaventure University.

Scottie Scheffler’s putting woes have been well-documented throughout 2023.

Despite being the number-one player in the world and having a historic ball-striking season, Scheffler ranked 151st on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting.

He also one-putted just 38.07% of the time, ranking 138th.

Consequently, Scheffler decided to go in a new direction with his putting at the Ryder Cup.

Scheffler was spotted working with renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon in Rome on Monday, according to Todd Lewis of the Golf Channel,

Kenyon, who has putting studios in both Great Britain and Sea Island, Georgia, also works with Tommy Fleetwood, which could create an interesting dynamic at Marco Simone Golf Club.

Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, The 151st Open
Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood played alongside one another during the first two rounds of The 151st Open Championship.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Fleetwood, of course, will play for the European team, while Scheffler was the first player to qualify for Team USA in 2023.

Scheffler made his Ryder Cup debut in 2021 when he won 2.5 points for the Americans. The former Texas Longhorn teamed up with Bryson DeChambeau and tied Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton in his maiden match—Friday afternoon fourballs.

Then on Saturday afternoon, Scheffler and DeChambeau beat Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland 3 & 1.

In Sunday singles, Scheffler dominated Rahm, 4 & 3, who was the reigning U.S. Open champion at the time.

But as well all know, the Ryder Cup always comes down to putting. Perhaps the 2023 edition will come down to Scheffler versus Fleetwood in the singles, which would be quite a pressure-packed coincidence considering both players’ affiliation with Kenyon.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.

More in Golf

Golf
Rory McIlroy in U.S. Open contention after first roundRory McIlroy in U.S. Open contention after first round
Golf

Rory McIlroy is well in contention after the first round of the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Deloitte is helping to make the rules of golf more accessible and fan-friendlyDeloitte is helping to make the rules of golf more accessible and fan-friendly
Golf

The rules of golf are well on display at the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jordan Spieth is ready for the U.S. OpenJordan Spieth is ready for the U.S. Open
Golf

Jordan Spieth is as ready as he can be for the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jason Day helps stories to visualize successJason Day helps stories to visualize success
Golf

Jason Day has a unique approach to “stories” during his rounds

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
T-Mobile made the U.S. Women’s Open even betterT-Mobile made the U.S. Women’s Open even better
Golf

The U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera was a huge success

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Brian Urlacher views the ACC as celebrity golf’s majorBrian Urlacher views the ACC as celebrity golf’s major
Golf

The American Century Championship is basically a major for celebrity golfers

By RJ Ochoa

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...