Scottie Scheffler pinpoints major flaw after failed PGA Championship title defence

Scottie Scheffler admitted his disappointing week on the greens proved costly after the world number one failed in his bid to successfully defend the PGA Championship at Aronimink.

Scheffler, 29, had been attempting to become the first player since Brooks Koepka in 2019 to retain the Wanamaker Trophy, but rounds of 67, 71, 71 and 69 left him tied inside the top 20 at two-under par.

Despite another typically consistent ball-striking display, Scheffler was left frustrated by his putting performance throughout the week.

"I'm pleased with how I battled, I just battled really hard all week," Scheffler told Sky Sports Golf after his final round.

"I just couldn't get anything going on the greens this week. I felt like I gave myself a good amount of opportunities. I felt like today was a day where I hit a lot of greens but just wasn't able to really hole anything, and that was kind of the story of the week."

The statistics backed up Scheffler’s assessment. 

He missed only two greens in regulation during the final round, but ranked 64th in the field for strokes-gained putting on Sunday, losing more than a shot to the field on the greens.

For the week, Scheffler finished outside the top 70 in putting — the key factor behind his unsuccessful title defence.

Scheffler will have the chance to complete the career Grand Slam and become just the seventh player in the modern era to achieve the feat at next month's U.S. Open. 

The final round at Shinnecock Hills will also fall on Scheffler’s 30th birthday.

But the four-time major champion insists he has never been one to delve too deep into the history books. 

"I don't really look that far ahead," said Scheffler, when pressed on what completing the career Grand Slam would feel like. 

"I was never the guy who grew up from a young age saying I'm going to win all the majors, I was always just trying to continue to improve. 

"I dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour, that was my dream, my goal always, and I'm fortunate to be able to do that for a living.

"I'm just going to continue to do what's got me this far and that's a drive to continue to improve, and I just to compete that's what I focus on.

"When I look back on weeks like this, I just think I've had a really good year on the greens but then to have a disappointing week on the greens at a major championship, it's a tough pill to swallow. 

"I will now go home, get some rest tomorrow, practice on Tuesday and get ready for the next week. 

"After a loss, sometimes it gets you more excited to go practice."

Scheffler will have an immediate chance to bounce back when he returns for his title defence at next week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in his home state of Texas.

Scheffler won that tournament by an impressive eight shots last season.