Scottie Scheffler’s approach to the sudden-death playoff at Travelers? Dinner, rest, and routine
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Apr 10, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler shares a laugh with Tom Kim and his caddie Paul Tesori at the no. 10 tee during a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network
Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland finished tied after Sunday's final round at the Travelers Championship. Play was suspended due to fading light before either man could claim the title.
Scheffler spoke to reporters late Sunday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, after the round was called. He and Hovland finished tied at 21-under par. When asked how he planned to prepare for Monday's sudden-death playoff, Scheffler laid out his evening plan simply.
"Go home tonight, get some dinner, get some rest, and just go through my normal warm-up when I wake up in the morning," Scheffler said at the post-round press conference, posted by TenGolf on YouTube. "And come out here and get ready to try and execute in a playoff."
May 14, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the 15th tee during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
May 14, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the 15th tee during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The evening did not arrive without drama. A rain delay of one hour and 23 minutes changed the conditions at TPC River Highlands significantly.
Balls reacted differently to the rough. The approach shots were harder to judge. Scheffler acknowledged the adjustments required.
"Conditions were different. It was hard to predict how the ball was going to come out of the grass. It was pretty wet out there," Scheffler said at the press conference, posted by TenGolf on YouTube.
He made several clutch par-saving putts after the delay to stay alive.
"It's nice to be able to hole those putts, keep myself in the tournament," he added. "It's more fun when you're making the ones to win, but to keep yourself in it is also nice."
The playoff will start on Monday at 9 a.m. ET on the 18th hole, marking the 26th playoff in Travelers Championship history and the first unscheduled Monday finish since the 2025 Players Championship.
Both players have a lot to play for when the playoffs begin on Monday.
What’s at stake in Monday’s playoff for Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler goes into Monday's playoff looking for the 21st PGA Tour win of his career.
A victory would elevate him into a tie for 32nd place on the PGA Tour's all-time wins list, while securing his second trophy of the 2026 season. He has recorded 35 consecutive top-25 finishes and leads the FedExCup standings.
Hovland, meanwhile, is chasing his eighth PGA Tour victory and first Travelers Championship title. His 21-under total is the lowest 72-hole score of his PGA Tour career. Scheffler enters the playoff with a 2-2 career playoff record. Hovland has won his only previous playoff appearance.
What do you think about Scheffler's playoff preparation? Let us know in the comments!
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore