Cameras caught Scottie Scheffler having a rather passionate conversation with his coach, Randy Smith, on the practice range Thursday at the U.S. Open. Commentators who saw it live said the discussion looked normal and was not a cause for concern.

Scheffler, the world No. 1, opened the 126th U.S. Open with a 2-over 72 in gusty conditions at the par-70 layout in Southampton, New York. The commentary was captured in a post by Golf Digest's writer Christopher Powers on X on Friday. The broadcast crew downplayed any tension in the moment.

"This is not uncommon," one commentator said. "They will go back and forth. You know, they've known each other really a long time, so they can have some pretty candid conversations."

Smith and Scheffler worked openly on swing mechanics — exactly what the broadcast team had described. They said that the conversations were nothing close to a crisis, but there were visible frustrations regarding the American golfer's swing.

The discussion centered on swing fundamentals that Smith has been stressing to Scheffler.

"You just know how important these fundamentals are to Scottie, " the commentator noted.

Scheffler's first round was not as clean as he would have hoped.

He made four birdies, four bogeys, and one double bogey during his round. Conditions were difficult, with a steady 20 mph wind and gusts reaching nearly 40 mph. On the par-3 eighth hole, his tee shot landed in the native fescue.

He then three-putted for a double bogey and finished the front nine at 3-over 38.

This wasn't the first time cameras caught Scheffler and Smith working through frustration at the U.S. Open.

A Familiar Scene of Scottie Scheffler and His Coach from Last Year's U.S. Open

This isn't the first time cameras have caught Scheffler and Smith working through frustration in real time. 

At Oakmont in 2025, Scheffler was involved in a fiery exchange with Smith on the practice range after struggling for a second straight day, with caddie Teddy Scott also present.

Scheffler had drawn attention that week for smashing a club into the turf during the first round. He headed straight from the course and his media obligations to the range that Friday, looking to work out the issues with Smith.

After the round, he didn't hide his disappointment. "I was not getting the ball in the correct spots and paying the price for it," he said at the time.

This week is very important for Scheffler.

A win will complete his career Grand Slam, making him only the seventh golfer in history to achieve it. He has already won the Masters twice, as well as the PGA Championship and the British Open last year.

Do you think that Scottie Scheffler turns this week's range work with Randy Smith into his fifth major and a career Grand Slam at the 2026 U.S. Open? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Surjo Ray