World number one Scottie Scheffler is gearing up for his Masters title defense next month, drawing confidence from his ongoing recovery and expected improvements in his game. Following a stellar 2024 season in which Scheffler claimed nine tournament victories, including prestigious titles like the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship, the 28-year-old golfer faces a different challenge this year.
This time around, Scheffler's preparations were hampered due to a hand injury sustained while making Christmas dinner. He accidentally stabbed his hand with the broken stem of a wine glass while crafting ravioli, an incident that set his season back significantly. "I think it would be silly to say that it didn't set me back a little bit because I had to take a good amount of time off," Scheffler reflected on the painful episode. As a right-handed golfer, he acknowledged that any hand injury, particularly one of a surgical nature, can dramatically impact performance.
Despite the injury, Scheffler's results this season have not been catastrophic. In five events, he has secured two top-10 finishes, demonstrating that he is gradually regaining his competitive edge. "The results this year have been decent," he stated, adding, "I feel like I'm really close to playing some really nice golf again. I've got another good week of prep here at home and I felt like we learned a lot last week at Sawgrass.”
As Scheffler prepares for the Masters, he remains optimistic about his improving form. "But each day, my hand continues to improve. My body continues to get back to where it needs to be, and I think my swing is coming around, as well. So I'm definitely excited about the improvements that I'm making," he said in a recent teleconference.
Gathering insights from his experiences at Sawgrass, Scheffler is looking to regain momentum before the Masters kicks off on April 10, 2025. He is confident that his preparation and practice will lead him back to the form that earned him dual victories last year at this stage.
Adding a personal touch to his Masters experience, Scheffler has revealed his menu for the traditional Champions’ Dinner, to which he will play host. "It’s a little bit more of the same. My favourite foods haven’t changed too much but there’s a little bit, I would say, more kind of nostalgic stuff. My dad’s meatballs made the menu – that was always my favourite thing growing up," he shared, highlighting cherished family memories connected with food and celebration.
In addition to his father’s meatballs, Scheffler plans to serve Randy's famed chili, ribeye steak, red fish, tequila, and bourbon, promising a delightful evening for his fellow champions. "It should be a fun night, fun meal, and very excited about being able to host a Champions’ Dinner again," he said, anticipating the joy of coming together with fellow past winners.
As the countdown to the Masters continues, all eyes will be on Scheffler to see if he can reclaim his spot at the pinnacle of golf and defend his title against a competitive field. His journey back to peak performance will not only be a test of skill but resilience, making this a highly anticipated event for golf fans around the globe.
As Scheffler approaches his title defense with a blend of excitement and determination, the golfing world eagerly awaits to see if he can recapture the form that made him a champion just a year prior.
