World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is no stranger to success at the WM Phoenix Open, having clinched back-to-back titles at TPC Scottsdale in 2022 and 2023. Ahead of the 2025 iteration of the event, Scheffler shared his insights on the final stretch of the course during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, aiming to provide golfers and fans alike with a unique perspective on the game.
The closing holes at TPC Scottsdale present both challenges and opportunities, particularly the reachable par-5 15th hole, the electrifying par-3 16th known for its raucous crowds, the drivable par-4 17th, and the potentially treacherous par-4 18th. Scheffler stated, "What I like about the finish here is the room for opportunity. There's punishment. I think when I think of the great golf courses and the great tests, it's not always necessarily the hardest test. I love to see opportunity for great shots and punishment for poor ones." He added, "You never quite feel like you're out of the tournament. There's always opportunity there if you're close. I think that's what makes for great finishes, and I think that's what makes for great golf."
While Scheffler's achievements speak volumes—having accumulated over $29 million on the PGA Tour last year and remaining unbeaten as a force on the course—he reframes the definition of success beyond mere financial gain or tournament victories. "Golf is a game where I think you're constantly failing," he emphasized. "Sometimes it seems like as golfers we kind of love the punishment, just getting beat up every week by this game and trying to get the best out of ourselves." It’s clear Scheffler values the process over the scoreboard, embodying the philosophy many players echo throughout the tournament.
Other stars also shed light on their perspectives of success. Sam Ryder, familiar to fans for his exhilarating hole-in-one celebration at 16 last year, remarked, "Specifically for a tournament like this, the lowest hanging fruit for me is I wanted to make the cut and play on the weekend." Success, for him, rests not just on victories, but on participation and progress, echoing sentiments expressed by fellow competitor Wyndham Clark, who sees improvement as the true measure of success. “If I can build on my results, it would be huge, but making it to the Tour Championship every year is already success for me,” he stated, demonstrating the focus on consistent growth many players aspire to achieve.
Adding more flair to the event, Scheffler had the opportunity to play alongside New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the Wednesday Pro-Am. Reflecting on his experience, Scheffler explained, “Anytime you can be around somebody so great, you just want to pick their brains on certain stuff.” It highlights Scheffler's belief in learning and adapting, which resonates deeply with golf's ever-present challenges. The insights gathered from athletes outside of golf can inspire fresh methods of tactical preparation and recovery from setbacks, underscoring the shared language of self-improvement among elite competitors.
Meanwhile, the camaraderie among the players extends beyond the course, as Nick Taylor encapsulates success with his own growth narrative. He highlighted the importance of the right approach to the game, stating, “The execution part is really difficult, but if you can leave each shot knowing you followed the right process, that's a win.” Through their various journeys, golfers like Scheffler, Taylor, and Ryder affirm the philosophy of valuing the performance process rather than fixated solely on winning. This commitment carries through to the WM Phoenix Open, where the environment is ripe for both celebration and challenge.
Scottie Scheffler, as he prepares once again to tee off at the WM Phoenix Open at 2:44 p.m. ET on Thursday, embodies the ethos of the tournament and its community. His quick rise through the ranks, with 13 tournament victories under his belt, reflects both success and struggle—important components of the professional golf narrative. Scheffler states: “Saying I have nothing but success out here would be quite a stretch.” While his accolades are impressive, the reality of golf’s inherent ups and downs drives his outlook forward.
With the energy of thousands of fans behind him and his unwavering commitment to the process, Scheffler heads to TPC Scottsdale, not just to defend his title but to continue defining what true success means on and off the greens at the WM Phoenix Open.