Scottie Scheffler admitted he didn’t pay too much attention to Bryson DeChambeau off the tee during their time together at The Open.
Scheffler and DeChambeau played together in rounds one and two of the major championship, alongside Tyrrell Hatton.
All three players are in contention heading into the weekend at Southport, although DeChambeau was handed a two-stroke penalty after his second round for improving the area of his intended backswing on the fifth hole.
Shortly before that controversy, Scheffler was tasked with discussing his compatriot’s strategy off the tee after his second round at Royal Birkdale.
Scottie Scheffler didn’t pay much attention to Bryson DeChambeau off the tee
Scheffler was asked by the media if he spoke to his rival’s line on the ninth hole, which seemingly caught his attention.
He responded: “Well, Tyrrell and I thought it almost hit the flag on the grandstand, bleacher, whatever.
“From our angle on the right side of the tee, it looked like it almost hit the flag, so we were laughing because it looked like it grazed the tower.”
And when asked if DeChambeau is hitting different shots off the tee than he is in terms of attacking the course, Scheffler said: “I mean, he hits it further, so he’s taking some different lines, like 9 for example, and 10.
“Overall, I’m not paying too much attention to it. Watching his ball flight is not going to help me figure out what the wind is going to do typically or anything like that.
“He has a different ball flight and different spin than me. So even clubbing off of the par-3s and stuff like that is pretty much nonexistent. So I wouldn’t say I’m paying too close attention.”
The LIV Golf star’s approach to links golf came under fire before the event, with Nick Faldo claiming DeChambeau had “zero clue or strategy” on such courses.
He has certainly responded superbly, with the two-time major winner just three shots off the lead heading into Saturday, despite his two-stroke penalty.
Was Bryson DeChambeau's penalty unfair?
He was penalised two shots following an incident on the fifth hole…
Scottie Scheffler regrets missed putts on day two of The Open
Meanwhile, Scheffler is just one shot behind his fellow American, having carded back-to-back 68s at The Open Championship.
Summarizing his latest on day two, he commented: “I did a lot of good stuff. I gave myself a lot of opportunities.
“Wish I holed a few more putts, but I did what I could on the greens as well. Overall was pleased with the output.”
Scheffler is unsurprisingly disappointed with his putting display, which was extremely underwhelming for his usual high standards.
Out of the 155-strong field at Royal Birkdale, the world number one ranked 140th for Strokes Gained: Putting on day two.
Read more: R&A release official statement as Bryson DeChambeau is handed a two-stroke penalty at The Open
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