If there’s one thing, we can be pretty sure Scottie Scheffler it doesn’t like, it’s noise.
Golf’s greatest player at the start of 2026 hasn’t seemed fazed by much. No bogeys, no misses, and certainly no other players vying for the throne of world No. 1. (“I think it’s inspiring,” he said Wednesday to World No. 3, Justin Rose.) But if there is IS something that clearly gets under his skin is noise – or, as you may refer to it, chatter, drama, gossip, tea.
Scheffler has been remarkably adept at avoiding third-rail topics during his regular media appearances, his radar for tabloid questions seemingly tuned to the same frequency as a nuclear submarines. He will not talk in detail about his aspirations and dreams. He will not approach his pro golf counterparts with anything but genuine admiration. He won’t talk about hot topics in a way that suggests even a passing interest in more ghoulish topics.
But Wednesday at the WM Phoenix Open was different.
On Wednesday, Scheffler addressed the press for the first time since 2026’s biggest development in the world of golf: the surprise return of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed to the PGA Tour after several years with LIV.
In the past, such news could be the perfect opportunity for a classic Shefflerism: “I’m just focusing on my game now.” But on Wednesday, Scheffler addressed the situation head-on.
“When you look at a lot of the discussions we’ve had and when you look at what a lot of fans are saying, I think people want the best guys to play together again,” Scheffler said. “So when it comes to great players like Brooks or Patrick Reed, Patrick Reed is a great champion and I think Brooks Koepka has won five championships, so to have those guys competing here is great for the tournament, great for our fans and sponsors.”
OK – it wasn’t exactly one The people-Decent bite from the world No. 1, but it reflected a change that came into sharper focus during the rest of Scheffler’s press conference from Phoenix in his second start of 2026. The change? Scheffler’s status as the world’s undisputed No. 1 has turned him from an interesting guy for his golf to an interesting guy for him. opinions about golf. His words carry more weight in 2026 now that the historical significance of his last five seasons has been established. In turn, the questions facing Scheffler have also changed. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have similar roles in the sport – but they may be the only comparisons.
It was also clear that Scheffler chose THIS subject to be addressed in a more confident tone. What topic would better speak to Scheffler’s penchant for avoiding drama than two of LIV’s most important players coming home with a candid my fault — Lowering the temperature in the sport and putting the Tour directly on the front foot? If LIV has fewer titles, then Scheffler has fewer landmines – and that’s good news.
“I think the last few years — there’s just been a lot of hype, and so I think getting those guys back is another step toward us just being able to play golf again,” Scheffler said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”
The other good news facing Scheffler in the winter of 2026? Landmines aren’t too treacherous either. The questions facing the golfer are broader, but that’s why Scheffler’s golf has proved so special. He enters February with 20 career PGA Tour wins, four championships, a tie for No. 1 of the world and a US Open date for the career Grand Slam.
That’s a resume that doesn’t need advertising, which Scheffler likes.
