THE OFFICIAL PETE COWEN COLUMN – JUNE
The performance by Scottie Scheffle at the PGA Championship was a timely reminder that class is permanent. After a spell on the sidelines with injury, some wondered if he’d lost his edge. But as he showed over that crucial third round at Quail Hollow, the doubters were well wide of the mark. What impresses me most isn’t the sheer volume of birdies or his final-round composure, but the way he manages his movement and balance through the swing.
Scheffler’s footwork has been a talking point among analysts and fans. To the untrained eye, it can look chaotic — like he’s lost his footing and is trying to keep up with his own body, but it’s nothing of the sort. It’s actually a rebalancing move that’s been part of his DNA since he was ten years old. His arms come in, his club goes out, and that dynamic movement means he has to pull that trail foot back to stay centred. Otherwise, he’d topple straight over the ball. It’s an instinctive adjustment, much like Greg Norman’s footwork back in the day—different players, same idea.
This is what sets Scheffler apart. He’s not trying to swing in a textbook-perfect way. Instead, he’s repeating a move that’s his and his alone—one he’s trusted for decades. I’ve always said I like one-dimensional players—those who have a move and stick to it. Scheffler’s that kind of player. He’s not trying to be all things to all people—he just does what he does, and he does it better than almost anyone.
The other thing I admire is how consistent he is with his shot shape. His numbers on TrackMan show that he’s going to fade the ball every time. That’s his go-to shot, and he’s comfortable with it. He doesn’t chase extra speed or distance. He knows his game and plays within it. That’s why his distance control is so impressive — he’s pin-high more often than not, and that’s no accident. It’s all down to that repeatable move.
But let’s not forget the final piece of the puzzle: putting. Phil Kenyon has done a phenomenal job with Scheffler on the greens. There’s no point knocking it stiff if you can’t hole the putt, and Kenyon’s worked with him to make sure that part of his game is just as strong. When you combine world-class ball-striking with a hot putter, you make the game look easy. Of course, it’s never easy—it just looks that way when you’re doing everything right.
Looking ahead to Oakmont for the U.S. Open, it’s going to be fascinating to see how Scheffler and the other top players handle a beast of a course. If they set it up anything like they did in 2016 when Dustin Johnson won, it will be a true test of every part of a player’s game.
Oakmont doesn’t just punish bad swings — it punishes anything less than perfect. Miss a fairway there, and you’re not worried about missing the green — you’re worried about finding your ball at all. The rough is so tough that even a yard offline can leave you hacking out sideways. And even if you do find the fairway, holding those greens is no small feat. That’s where the longer, more accurate drivers have such an advantage. Players like Scheffler, McIlroy, Rahm and Bryson — Major winners who can drive it long and straight — will be the ones to watch.
Scheffler’s resurgence is a great lesson for all of us: it’s not about chasing perfect positions or textbook moves. It’s about trusting what you do, knowing how to repeat it under pressure, and never forgetting the basics—drive it straight, hit it close, and hole the putt. At Oakmont, the player who can do those three things better than anyone else will be the one holding the trophy come Sunday evening.
For me, there’s no substitute for that kind of simplicity and belief. Scheffler’s got it, and Oakmont’s the perfect place for him to show it again.
But as always, don’t get too carried away with the usual stats. “Greens in regulation” can be a misleading measure. You can hit a green and be 40 feet from the hole, or miss it by a yard and be 8 feet away. Which would you rather have? For me, the stats that matter are “effective fairways” and “effective greens”— where your misses are and how close you’re actually to the pin. You can miss five fairways by a yard and still have birdie chances, but on the stat sheet, it just says “missed fairway.” Doesn’t tell the full story.
For the players I work with, I always ask them to break down how many birdie chances they’ve had from 25 feet down to 5 feet or less. That’s the real measure of whether you’re playing well. If you’re giving yourself enough of those looks, the scores will follow. It’s the same for amateurs — start tracking those numbers and you’ll get a far clearer picture of how you’re really playing.
Another point for the club golfer: if you’re constantly missing one side — always left, always right — it might not be your swing. It could be your club set-up. Chris Sells, who was with the English Golf Union, was the best I ever saw at spotting that. He could tell in a heartbeat if your clubs were too flat or too upright. Sometimes the simplest fix can make the biggest difference.
And while we’re on the topic of equipment, I often get asked how often you should change your wedges. Fresh grooves are definitely important, especially if you want to get that check on firmer links or Middle East greens. But don’t get too obsessed with the gear. The right ball and, more importantly, the right technique are just as crucial. I’ve got a wedge with no grooves at all, and I can still spin it for fun—because technique trumps everything. n
