Scottie Scheffler breaks silence after second-round back-nine meltdown at 3M Open
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 08: Scottie Scheffler of United States of America hits a drive at the 15th hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 08, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 08 PGA, Golf Herren Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon5732603080214
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 08: Scottie Scheffler of United States of America hits a drive at the 15th hole during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2026 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 08, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 08 PGA, Golf Herren Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon5732603080214
Scottie Scheffler was 9-under after 13 holes and looked in complete control. But just four holes later, everything had changed.
He quickly lost the lead. A double bogey, a bogey and a birdie over his last five holes gave Scheffler a second-round score of 70.
Scheffler carded a second-round 70 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, on Friday, July 25, following up his opening 65 at the 3M Open. The round was a study in contrast, a front nine of 32 and a back nine of 38. He addressed the media after his round, his first start at TPC Twin Cities.
Speaking to reporters at TPC Twin Cities on Friday, as reported by HITC, Scheffler acknowledged the mistakes but didn't dwell on them.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MARCH 14: PGA, Golf Herren golfer Scottie Scheffler walks to the 17th tee during the third round of The Players Championship on March 14, 2026, at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 14 PGA THE PLAYERS Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26031414
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MARCH 14: PGA, Golf Herren golfer Scottie Scheffler walks to the 17th tee during the third round of The Players Championship on March 14, 2026, at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: MAR 14 PGA THE PLAYERS Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26031414
"I mean, I felt like I did some good stuff," he said to the reporters, according to HITC. "Played the 12th hole a little sloppy. Made a poor swing on, I think it was maybe 14, and then the wind seemed to just knock that ball down into the water; that was tough. Then what else? Bad break on 17. Missed in the right spot, just got a bad break, but that happens."
The 14th hole changed the round. Scheffler hit his second shot into the water and made a double bogey. His score dropped from 9-under to 7-under. He then made a bogey on the par-3 17th hole. A birdie on the 18th hole helped him finish on a better note.
The double bogey hurt even more because Scheffler was playing well. He had started the tournament with a 65 in his first time playing at TPC Twin Cities. He also came into the event after finishing fourth at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Scheffler was one of only two players in the world's top 30 in the field, along with Hideki Matsuyama.
When asked whether he planned to hit balls on the range after his round, Scheffler's answer was short. "Probably just get some rest," he said at his Friday post-round press conference at TPC Twin Cities.
The wind played a role in the afternoon deterioration. Scheffler explained the conditions shifted between Thursday and Friday. "Yeah, the winds were up so that made the golf course a bit more challenging, especially in the afternoon," he said. "But definitely the wind increased the challenge."
Scheffler's front nine had produced five birdies and no bogeys before the back nine unraveled.
Where Scottie Scheffler stands heading into the weekend
Scheffler was the last man in the 3M Open field to card a score over par, taking 31 holes before his first bogey or worse. The double bogey on 14 ended that run sharply.
Ben Kohles had led after round one with a 9-under 62, including an eagle on the final hole. Scheffler had sat three shots back entering Friday's round. The back-nine collapse widened that gap further.
His season coming in had been strong without a win. Scheffler had gone top-five in seven of his last 10 events but hadn't won since his season debut at The American Express in January.
Scheffler tees off Saturday still in contention at the 3M Open, three events from the FedExCup Playoffs.
The world No. 1 lost the lead with four holes left on Friday, so do you think Scheffler can still win the 3M Open?
Written by
Sneha Abraham