You would have to go back to January 2021 to find the last time Scottie Scheffler opened three straight tournaments without breaking 70 in any of them.
Scheffler goes into the final round of the Genesis Invitational at one over par, with much of the damage done during a first-round 74 that left him well off the pace early on.
The world number one admitted he struggled to adjust to the conditions and start his week on a positive note, and he now finds himself playing catch-up for the rest of his time at Riviera.
Asked about his slow starts this year, Scheffler said there is no need for concern just yet but acknowledged things have not gone as planned.
The world number one said: “I think it’s just a matter of coming out and competing each day. Some days it’s going to go well and other days it’s not going to go well. You look at three tournaments in a row, I haven’t started off that good. When you look at it like from a macro view, it’s such a small sample size. I played now 11 rounds the last few weeks and I had eight pretty solid ones and three I’d like to have back.
“So overall I feel like my game’s in a good spot. Got a few things that I need to clean up, but overall I feel I’m continuing to trend in the right direction.”
Scottie Scheffler’s early 2026 form vs. his final stretch in 2025
In the opening weeks of 2026, Scheffler has already put up three rounds in the 70s, leaving himself with work to do early on at the WM Phoenix Open, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and now again at Riviera.
By Friday morning at Riviera, he was sitting in last place before play was halted for the day – a first for him on the PGA Tour.
This sort of start is not what you would expect from a four-time major winner.
Scheffler has had more rounds in the 70s this year than he did during his final eight events of 2025.
Scottie Scheffler’s final two rounds of 2025 where he missed 70
Scheffler carded a 72 in the third round of the Travelers Championship, losing his lead in the process.
He did not shoot above 70 again until the opening round of the Procore Championship. And considering it was a Ryder Cup year, he may not have even played that event otherwise.
But he ended up winning there anyway.
So, while there are some questions being raised about his form, Scheffler still feels positive about most parts of his game right now.
He was just one shot from reaching a playoff in Phoenix and had set an early clubhouse lead on Sunday at Pebble Beach before others caught up.
If he irons out these early-round issues, it is hard to see anyone else catching up to him for long.
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