"Hardest nine holes that I'll ever play"- Scottie Scheffler faces tough challenge as he chases a win at the 2024 Open Championship

Scottie Scheffler has said that the conditions in the Open Championship are challenging, especially on the back nine. Scheffler is competing in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland.

Scheffler scored 1-under 70 in the first round and 1-under 70 in the second round to make the Friday cut. In the third round, Scheffler carded an even-par 71. He scored two birdies on the third and 17th holes and two bogeys on the 13th and 15th holes. The World No. 1 has an aggregate score of 2-under 211 in 54 holes and is positioned eighth.

In the post-round press conference, Scottie Scheffler was asked how the third round ranked in terms of tough days playing golf in his mind. He said (via ASAP Sports):

"It's up there. I can think of a couple of days with some crazy high winds that may have been more challenging, but overall the back nine, I think that was probably the hardest nine holes that I'll ever play. I shouldn't say ever, but it's definitely the hardest that I've played to this point, I think."

Scheffler further added that he was distracted on the 15th hole. He said:

"Raindrops falling off the front of the cap got me in the middle of my stroke."

Scottie Scheffler received a setback in the second round when his caddie Ted Scott felt unwell and was seen lying on the ground multiple times. Scheffler gave an update on it and said:

"He seemed to be back to normal. That food poisoning stuff can be pretty wild where you feel like you're going to die for like a whole day and all of a sudden it's like you feel back to normal."

The 28-year-old golfer is just two shots behind Billy Horschel who sits on the top of the leaderboard. He'll need a round in mid 60s to win his second Major and seventh title of the year.

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A look at Scottie Scheffler's performance in the last 15 Majors

Scottie Scheffler has had a great record in the Majors. In the last 15 Majors, he has missed cuts in only one of them. He has had five top-5 finishes and 10 top-10 finishes in last 15 Majors.

He has won two Majors, both of which came at the Masters tournament in 2022 and 2024. In 2022, he won by three shots over Rory Mcllroy, while in 2024, he won by one shot over Ludvig Aberg.

Let's have a quick recap on Scottie Scheffler's performances in the last 15 Majors:

1. 2024 U.S. Open: T41 (71, 74, 71, 72)
2. 2024 PGA Championship: T8 (67, 66, 73, 65)
3. 2024 Masters Tournament: 1 (66, 72, 71, 68)
4. 2023 The Open Championship: T23 (70, 75, 72, 67)
5. 2023 U.S. Open: 3rd (67, 68, 68, 70)
6. 2023 PGA Championship: T2 (67, 68, 68, 70)
7. 2023 Masters Tournament: T10 (68, 75, 71, 70)
8. 2022 The Open Championship: T21 (68, 68, 69, 74)
9. 2022 U.S. Open: T2 (70, 67, 71, 67)
10. 2022 PGA Championship: CUT (71, 75)
11. 2022 Masters Tournament: 1 (69, 67, 71, 71)
12. 2021 The Open Championship: T8 (67, 66, 69, 71)
13. 2021 U.S. Open: T7 (72, 69, 70, 72)
14. 2021 PGA Championship: T8 (72, 74, 71, 70)
15. 2021 Masters Tournament: T18 (73, 72, 71, 71)