Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, displayed a remarkable par save during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, showcasing both skill and luck on February 2, 2025. The reigning Player of the Year faced difficult conditions at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where plunging temperatures and whipping winds compounded the challenges of the course.
On the 18th hole, Scheffler found himself in hot water after his tee shot veered off and ended up on the beach, just short of California’s Pacific Ocean. He didn't see the ball land, leading to the possibility of taking a penalty drop 40 yards forward from the tee box. Instead, he made the adventurous choice to trek 300 yards to search for his ball, hoping to avoid the costly drop. Luckily, he found it lodged between rocks.
“Saw a ball on the beach, went down there, found my ball, moved some rocks, hit it out, hit it on the green, two-putted,” Scheffler shared post-round. His quick thinking and determination saved him the potential embarrassment of dropping strokes.
To successfully play the recovery shot, he had to navigate both the rocky terrain and the inherent unpredictability of hitting off the beach. Scheffler had to think carefully about his next action, knowing the risks involved. “I think the unpredictability was the most difficult part. I was really just trying to get it out over the rocks and anywhere up there on grass I would have been pretty happy about, obviously,” he said.
After moving several small rocks from around his ball, he was able to hit his wedge up and over the perilous cliff, then struck the ball to 40 feet away, comfortably on the green. He two-putted for par, ending the hole with relief and solidifying his score for the day at 2-under 70.
This par save came on Scheffler’s return to professional golf, having missed the earlier part of the season due to injury caused by accidentally slicing his hand with glass during holiday cooking. Earlier, he had only managed two bogeys through the course of the tournament—one attributed to what he candidly referred to as a "semi-shank" on the 11th hole. He admitted, “I think like the last two days out here I haven’t felt, you know, at peak performance at all.”
Despite the unusual shot on the 11th, Scheffler remained upbeat about his progress. He reflected on his overall performance during this tournament, remarking, “To only have two bogeys, one of them being with a semi-shank, it’s pretty good.”
Scheffler's enduring status as the best player on tour was recognized by fellow competitors, most recently by Rory McIlroy, who observed, “I’ve never — and this is anyone, this is Tiger, this is the history of golf — I don’t think I’ve ever seen a golfer play as many bogey-free rounds as Scottie. He just doesn’t make mistakes.”
Competing again after recovering from surgery is no easy feat, and Scheffler manages to keep his nerves and skill under pressure. “It’s good to be getting back to competitive golf, and nice to be out here at Pebble,” he noted.
After completing the second round at Pebble Beach, Scheffler sits at seven under par, tied for 20th. He is seven shots off the lead held by rising star Sepp Straka, showing he still has ground to make up for the weekend competition as he heads out for his third round.
Surprisingly, what could have been considered his most troubling moment turned out to be one of his most impressive feats of skill, showcasing not just the art of golf but also the aspect of strategizing under duress. This remarkable par save from the beach only adds to his growing legend on the PGA Tour.
With the lessons of yesterday firmly tucked away, Scheffler prepared himself for the challenges to come as play continues at Pebble Beach. His determination and focus remain unshaken, proving he’s capable of handling pressure, regardless of whether he’s returning from injury or experiencing early-season rust.