Scottie Scheffler is finally back on the golf course, making his highly anticipated 2025 debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, following recovery from a freak hand injury sustained during Christmas dinner. The world’s No. 1 golfer had been sidelined for several weeks after the accident, which involved severing his palm with broken glass from a wine glass he was using to shape homemade ravioli.
Reflecting on his return, Scheffler expressed relief and eagerness, stating, "Everything is feeling good." He admitted he felt frustration sitting at home watching tournaments he normally plays, as he missed both The Sentry and The American Express. "Not at all," he responded when asked if he was nervous about his return. Instead, he is refreshed, refocused, and ready to compete at one of the PGA Tour's signature events.
The incident leading to his hand injury was both bizarre and regrettable. During the holiday season, Scheffler was attempting to make ravioli from scratch, using limited kitchen tools at the rental house. "I was making ravioli and didn't have the right tools to cut the pasta, so I found a wine glass," he explained. Unfortunately, the glass broke, puncturing the palm of his right hand. He joked about the experience, saying, "I've heard nothing but horror stories since this happened about wine glasses, so be careful."
Despite the nature of the injury, Scheffler reassured fans it isn’t going to impact his performance. “It could have been a lot worse,” he noted, comparing his situation to someone else who had suffered more severe harm from the same accident. His initial emotions were mixed, expressing anger at himself right after the incident, recalling, "Gosh, that's so stupid." Nevertheless, he had to focus on recovery.
After missing two tournaments, Scheffler worked hard to regain his confidence and rhythm. He practiced diligently early last week under cold conditions, preparing himself to hit the course without restrictions. "I tried to work out some of the soreness and the scar tissue and stuff... I pushed myself pretty hard, and it continued to get gradually well each day," he said. This preparation helped him feel assured as he stepped onto the first tee at Pebble Beach.
At BetMGM, Scheffler opened at 5-1 to win the Pro-Am, and recent days saw his odds attract significant attention as he accounted for 20.5% of all outright winner wagers. It’s clear his reputation as one of the game’s best players remains intact, even after the break. Scheffler is determined to prove himself again against competitive peers like Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.
Rory McIlroy humorously commented on the incident, saying, "I think he made enough money to hire a chef," raising laughter among fans and players alike. Despite the injury setbacks, the camaraderie of golf shines as fellow competitors showed concern for Scheffler’s well-being. McIlroy added, considering the millions Scheffler has earned over his career, he questioned the choice of cooking himself.
With his first tournament of 2025 on the horizon, expectations for Scheffler are as high as ever. While he missed key events following his injury, his poised demeanor and the hard work he put behind the scenes suggest he's ready for the challenge of competition. Golf is never out of mind for Scheffler, who mentioned he watched more golf than usual, analyzing his previous performances through videos.
While many athletes might be concerned about their return timing after such setbacks, Scheffler approached the situation pragmatically. He clearly made the choice to return only when he felt fully prepared, ensuring he wouldn’t jump back too soon. “I don’t think it will change my schedule much, but we’ll see how things go,” he remarked.
With expectations soaring, the question arises: will Scottie Scheffler bounce back to reclaim dominance after injury? The Pebble Beach Pro-Am will undoubtedly set the stage for this story to unravel.
The first big test of the season awaits for Scheffler, and with the anticipation surrounding his return, fans and fellow golfers alike will be watching closely to see how he performs post-injury at Pebble Beach.