Scheffler sees golf majors like tennis Slams as US Open looms
Scottie Scheffler sees golf's major tournaments like Grand Slam tennis championships, with finesse events like the Masters and strength tests like this week's US Open at Oakmont.
World number one Scheffler, the 2022 and 2024 Masters winner, comes off a victory at last month's PGA Championship and sees new challenges at Oakmont the same way the red clay at Roland Garros offers a different tennis test than a hardcourt US Open.
"I kind of equate some of the major tests to the majors in tennis," Scheffler said on Tuesday. "You're playing on a different surface. You've got grass, clay and then the hardcourt and it's a different style of game."
Augusta National offers undulating greens but almost no rough to encourage shotmaking, while Oakmont brings a US Open with deep rough, tricky bunkers and fast sloped greens.
"The US Open compared to the Masters is a completely different type of test," Scheffler said.
"At the Masters you have a lot more shotmaking when you get around the greens because it's a lot of fairway, there's pine straw, there's not really the rough factor.
"Then when you get here, it's a lot of hacking out of the rough. You still have to be extremely precise but when you talk about strength and power, that becomes more of a factor at these tournaments because when you hit it in the rough you've got to muscle it out of there."
There's no picking one as better or worse than another, just as with the tennis majors. It's a matter of style.
"It's just a different type of test than you see at the Masters. Both of them are fantastic tests. I don't know if one of them is better than the other, but they're just different," Scheffler said.
"Here, the winning score I don't think is going to be what the winning score was at the Masters."
Rory McIlroy won the Masters on 11-under 277 after a playoff with Justin Rose. Expectations are for this week's US Open winner to be lucky to break par for 72 holes.
"When you miss the green at the Masters, the ball runs away and it goes into these areas, and you can play a bump, you can play a flop. There's different options," Scheffler said.
"Here when you hit the ball over the green, you just get in some heavy rough, and it's like, let me see how I can pop the ball out of this rough and somehow give myself a look."
That strength factor is something Scheffler hopes to take advantage of this week as he did by using his shotmaking skills at the Masters.
"I'd say there's definitely a strength factor coming out of the rough," Scheffler said of Oakmont. "There's so many bunkers, I don't really know if this is a golf course you can necessarily just overpower with kind of a bomb and gouge type strategy, especially with the way the rough is.
"You have to play the angles. Some of the greens are elevated, other ones are pitched extremely away from you."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Meet 16-year-old golfer chasing her dream of turning pro
At just 16, Anca Mateiu is chasing a dream few dare to imagine. Born in Romania and now rising through the ranks in UAE, her journey is driven by raw talent, relentless passion, and a fearless ambition to reach the very top of the golfing world. It all began when she was just three or four when her father placed a golf club, two sizes too big, into her tiny hands and encouraged her to give it a try. 'They were regular clubs, too big to handle, but I did my best to hit the ball. I felt a spark, and everything just took off from there,' she recalls. That first swing would mark the beginning of something special. 'At first, I played for my dad, because he was the one who got me into it,' she says. 'He was always there, patiently guiding me and making the game feel fun and exciting. I just wanted to make him proud. That meant everything to me.' That early start laid the foundation for everything Anca has achieved since. Today, she is the 2025 Ladies Club Champion at Emirates Golf Club and proudly represents the UAE National Team in prestigious events such as the Pan-Arab and GCC Golf Championships. 'Representing the UAE at those championships is something I'll never forget,' she says. 'Standing on the first tee in national colours gives you this rush. It makes all the training and hard work that we put in worth it.' Her journey also comes full circle with a victory close to home when she won the 2021 Romanian National Junior Girls Championship. It's a nod to her roots, and a powerful reminder of just how far she's come, both geographically and as an athlete. But it's her time in Dubai that has truly accelerated Anca's growth- both as a golfer and as a young woman with big dreams. Surrounded by world-class facilities, a vibrant golfing community, and elite competition, Anca has found the perfect environment to sharpen her skills and push her limits. The city's fast-paced energy mirrors her ambition, and it's here that her passion has evolved into purpose. 'It's been life-changing,' she says. 'Back in Romania, I didn't have access to the same level of facilities or playing opportunities and I was limited to a few months a year because of the weather. But here in Dubai, I can train year-round, compete regularly, and work with top coaches. It's completely changed how I see the game and what I believe I can achieve.' Anca trains across three premier courses — Emirates Golf Club (EGC), Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE), and Dubai Hills — all while balancing a rigorous academic schedule at Kings' School Dubai. 'I won't lie, it's hard,' she admits. 'There are days I finish school, head straight to the course, practice until sunset, and then go home and catch up on homework. But it's worth it. You make time for what you love.' Though the demands are high, she remains grounded, a quality that mirrors her approach to the game itself. 'I try not to think too much on the course. I just take it one shot at a time and stay in the moment,' she explains. 'If I get ahead of myself, things don't happen the way I want them to. So I always focus on my routine and aim for the best possible outcome.' Mental composure is a key strength. In high-pressure situations, Anca has learned to trust her instincts and reset quickly. 'Even when things go wrong, a bad shot or a missed putt, I try not to get too emotional," she says. "Golf is like life: you can't control everything. But you can control how you respond. That's something I've really learned over time.' She credits her coaches, including Marion Duvernay, and the Emirates Golf Federation for helping her level up her game. Their support, along with that of her family, has given her the confidence to dream big. 'The EGF has backed me in ways I can't even explain,' she says. 'And General Abdullah Alhashmi has been incredible. I wouldn't be where I am without that kind of belief.' Looking ahead, Anca has her sights firmly set on the LET Access Tour - Europe's gateway to professional women's golf. 'I'd love to turn pro. It's been my dream for as long as I can remember,' she says. 'With the support from my coaches, the EGF, and my parents, I feel like I can really do this. I'm working towards being good enough, and hopefully, with a few invitations to play on the Access Tour, I'll get my chance.' College is still on the table, but Anca is clear-eyed about her priorities. 'If I'm not in college by 18, then I think that's the right time to really go for it,' she says. 'I know what I want. I want to play golf for the rest of my life.' And while her journey began in Romania, her present and likely her future lie in Dubai. 'More UAE right now,' she says when asked where her heart lies. 'It's hard to choose, but Dubai has given me so much. It feels like home.' To young girls across the Middle East looking to follow in her footsteps, Anca's message is practical but empowering. 'There's so much on offer in Dubai - amazing courses, top facilities. But you have to be serious. Put in the hours. Even if you improve one per cent every day, that adds up. Stay focused, and don't lose sight of why you started.' Just as important, she says, is the team around you. 'You need people who understand what you want from the game,' she says. 'Your family, your coaches - they're everything. When you lose or things don't go well, they're the ones who lift you back up. Without them, it's hard to keep going.' Anca Mateiu is not just one of the UAE's finest young golfers, she's a symbol of what passion and purpose can achieve. With her eyes set on a professional career and a heart full of dreams, every shot she takes now feels like a step toward the future she's always imagined — living her dream on the Pro Tour.
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
Visa signs football phenom Lamine Yamal as global ambassador for FIFA World Cup 26
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – With exactly one year to go until the FIFA World Cup 26™ kicks off across Canada, Mexico and the United States, Visa (NYSE: V) — a global leader in digital payments and long-standing supporter of world football — today announced that Lamine Yamal, one of the game's brightest rising stars, will serve as a global ambassador for the tournament. To celebrate the milestone and build momentum toward the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history, Visa will unlock exclusive fan experiences for cardholders — including meet-and-greet opportunities with Lamine Yamal in Barcelona and signed merchandise leading into FIFA World Cup 26™. 'Lamine represents the future of football — bold, exciting, and full of potential,' said Tarek Abdalla, Chief Marketing Officer, Visa CEMEA. 'At Visa, we're constantly looking for new ways to connect with fans through the power of sport. As Visa's FIFA World Cup™ ambassador, Lamine embodies the spirit and passion of the beautiful game, inspiring millions of fans worldwide.' Yamal is captivating the football world with record-setting performances, and his skill, speed and vision on the field have made him a breakout global star — and a symbol of where the game is heading. Commenting on the partnership, Lamine Yamal stated, 'Football is more than a game, it's joy and a way to connect with people around the world. I'm proud to partner with Visa to share that passion and inspire people through sport.' As an Official Payment Technology Partner of FIFA, Visa has used the power of football to drive inclusion and access around the world — from grassroots programs to global stages. Through innovative fan experiences, athlete partnerships and exclusive cardholder benefits, Visa continues to redefine what's possible for fans, players, and the future of the game. About Visa Inc. Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at
The National
15 hours ago
- The National
Top 10 Middle East footballers to watch at the Club World Cup
The revamped and expanded Fifa Club World Cup may be the biggest chance yet for domestic teams to represent themselves on the global stage. But there will be plenty of national and regional pride at stake, too. Some of the leading players from the Mena region will be vying for attention at the competition in the United States, and they are not solely confined to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal or the UAE's Al Ain. Here is a selection of outstanding players from the region to look out for this summer. 1). Achraf Hakimi Club: Paris Saint-Germain National team: Morocco Slotted the opening goal in PSG's rout of Inter Milan in the Uefa Champions League final, and was eulogised by many observers as the best right-back in the world. Given's PSG's form, he might expect to go one better than the semi-final exit he managed with the Morocco national team in the Qatar World Cup. 2). Omar Marmoush Club: Manchester City National team: Egypt Scored 15 goals in 17 games in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt before being summoned to City in the January transfer window to try to breathe life into their ailing season. The form of the outgoing English champions did pick up after the arrival of their new Egyptian forward. They may have ended defeated in the FA Cup, but they could make up for that with a trophy in the US. 3). Ali Al Bulayhi Club: Al Hilal National team: Saudi Arabia Makes this list not so much for the merit of his defending as the fact his confrontations with star opponents are usually box office. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Son Hueng-min have all been on the receiving end of the Hilal centre-back's antics. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Erling Haaland had better be ready. 4). Soufiane Rahimi Club: Al Ain National team: Morocco Asia's MVP when he fired Al Ain to the AFC Champions League crown in 2024, and he then top-scored in the Olympics for Morocco, too. The Garden City club have fallen flat in the time since, going through three managers this season. Rahimi's form has coolled, too, but expect him to revel on the big stage in the US. 5). Mehdi Taremi Club: Inter Milan National team: Iran Cut a disconsolate figure as an unused substitute on the bench in Inter Milan's capitulation against PSG in the Uefa Champions League final. The striker, who has been central to Iran's march to World Cup qualification, will be itching to right some wrongs when Inter face Monterrey, Urawa Reds and River Plate. 6). Ramy Bensebaini Club: Borussia Dortmund National team: Algeria The Algerian defender has been deployed on the left side of a three-man defence as Dortmund closed out a largely disappointing season strongly, most notably with a big win away at Bayer Leverkusen. He might not be everybody's cup of tea: German great-turned-pundit Lothar Matthaus has been one outspoken critic. But Bensebaini is valued by his club and is said to have suitors that include Marseille. 7). Brahim Diaz Club: Real Madrid National team: Morocco The dual-national winger was born in Malaga, signed for the Manchester City academy age 16, and plays for Morocco at international level. He will be looking to aid Madrid's bid to complete a Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup double. 8). Salem Al Dawsari Club: Al Hilal National team: Saudi Arabia An Arabian Gulf great, as a legend of Hilal and the Saudi Arabia national team. His finest moment was his goal in their shock win over the eventual champions Argentina in the group phase of the Qatar World Cup. His celebrity has yet to extend too far beyond Asia, though. His one crack at broadening his horizons ended prematurely with an ill-fated loan spell with Villarreal in Spain in 2018. 9). Wessam Abou Ali Club: Al Ahly National team: Palestine Danish-born but proudly Palestinian, he also acknowledges he feels Egyptian now, given how well loved he has become since joining Al Ahly last year. The striker enjoyed an extraordinary 2024, moving from the Swedish lower leagues in January, then becoming the top scorer in Egypt, and contributing to the CAF Champions League win, which qualified Ahly for this tournament. 10). Oussama Idrissi Club: Pachuca National team: Morocco Netherlands-born and raised, but the tricky left-winger had had a good look around since. He represents Morocco at senior level – having previously played for the Dutch age-group sides – and has found his way to Mexico via Spain. He knows what success tastes like in cross-border club competition, too. Idrissi scored a fine goal as Pachuca beat Brazil's Botafogo to reach the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
