Scottie Scheffler hopes improved putting will take him back to number one

Scottie Scheffler has been working hard on the one weak link in his game as he tries to win a third PGA Tour title this season.

Scheffler, who can recapture the world number one ranking from Jon Rahm with a win at the AT&T Byron Nelson, defended his title at February’s WM Phoenix Open and also claimed the prestigious Players Championship in Sawgrass.

And the former Masters champion did so despite being ranked 89th on the PGA Tour, a stark contrast to his lead in the categories of shots gained from tee and tee-to-green, as well as greens in regulation.

“I feel like I’ve seen a lot of putts that I really thought were going to go in and they didn’t,” Scheffler said at a pre-tournament news conference at TPC Craig Ranch.

“I’m usually pretty dangerous when my putter gets hot, so I’ve been working pretty well. Yeah, I was just hoping to see some putts go in. Instead of going out, maybe going in.”

Scheffler made his PGA Tour debut in what was then called the HP Byron Nelson Championship as a 17-year-old amateur in 2014, recording a hole-in-one during the third round and ultimately finishing tied for 22nd.

Nine years later, he is the star attraction and the only member of the world’s top 15 on the field following Jordan Spieth’s injury withdrawal.

“It’s definitely a little different than when I came here in high school,” Scheffler added. “I feel like I’m a little more a part of this than I was back then, but I was lucky to get a spot and get out there and play.

“Now I guess coming full circle here is a bit of a different setting and it’s a lot of fun to be able to play in front of the home crowd.

“Now that I’ve had some success here on Tour, there are a lot more people coming to see me, which is great.

“I’m lucky to be able to come here and support an event that has supported me since I was young, and I’m really looking forward to getting out there and playing in front of the home crowd and hopefully making some birdies.”