U.S. captain calls finding Scottie Scheffler’s partner a difficult challenge

At first glance, the question sounds strange: Is Scottie Scheffler — the longtime world No. 1, elite in every part of the game, one of the best drivers and iron players, and an underrated putter — actually difficult to pair in team competition? U.S. Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker acknowledged that the answer is yes.

“Yeah, it’s a challenge,” Snedeker said. “When you look at the best players throughout history who have played in these events, it’s always been a challenge to match them up.”

The history of team match play supports his point. In Ryder Cup partner matches, excluding singles, Tiger Woods has a 9-19-1 record. Phil Mickelson also has a losing Ryder Cup record, and the only Ryder Cup they played together remains one of the biggest disasters in team golf history.

Scheffler’s combined Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup record is also striking: 6-11-4.

Snedeker’s theory is that the partner of a superstar can feel too much pressure. It is not fear of the player, he said, but the feeling that failing to support him would mean letting him down.

“He’s the best player in the world. He’s so good at everything; no matter what I do, it isn’t going to be good enough,” Snedeker said.

He knows the feeling firsthand. As a Ryder Cup rookie, Snedeker was paired with Jim Furyk in his prime.

“I kept thinking, No matter what I do, I’ll never hit it as straight as he does; this is not going to go well. So every time I hit a tee ball, I was freaking out a little bit,” Snedeker said.

Scheffler did not make excuses for his team record. “I think you can always play better,” he said. He also refused to blame his partners.

“I always feel confident in my partners. If we didn’t step up on the first tee and feel confident, those guys wouldn’t be standing there with me. I’ve been confident in all the partners I’ve had across formats over the years,” Scheffler said.

Still, Scheffler acknowledged that team match play requires a different approach from a regular 72-hole stroke-play tournament.

“It’s totally different than playing a regular tournament over the course of 72 holes. Over 18 holes, anything can happen. Anything can happen in alternate shot. And in best ball you can get away with a lot more; it’s all about making birdies,” he said.

Scheffler suggested that he may sometimes try too hard during team weeks.

“As a hypercompetitive person, I think sometimes I can probably try too hard. If you look at my putting stats over the course of my career, arguably what made me struggle the most in 2023 was probably trying too hard.

“When you look at this format, maybe my record hasn’t matched up to what I think it should be. Could it be trying too hard? I think that’s definitely a factor. For me, it’s different because you also have a partner with you and you’re playing for somebody outside yourself.

“Striking the balance between how much you care is something I’m always trying to figure out. For me, just trying less would be really important. It’s easier said than done.”

Scheffler has played alongside Bryson DeChambeau, close friend Sam Burns, Brooks Koepka, J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley and others. Snedeker said the ideal partner must be able to handle the pressure while remaining himself.

“Trying to find someone who can handle that pressure and be themselves and not try to be someone else is super important. These guys are elite athletes and the best players in the world because they’re unique. Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus — they’re unique. Our challenge as captains is matching them not only by game, but by personality, with players they feel comfortable with,” Snedeker said.

Henley could be an option again. He understands the intimidation factor but believes their relationship works because they know each other well.

“Because I’ve spent so much time with Scottie, and Scottie and Sam have had me over to their house over the years since they’ve been on Tour and our wives are friends, I feel like I’m more comfortable with Scottie than I would be if they put me with Tiger,” Henley said.

But a hint about another possible Scheffler partner came during Sam Burns’ Tuesday press conference.

“Do you already know who you’re going to play with?” a reporter asked.

“I do, yeah,” Burns said.

“Is his name Scottie Scheffler?”

“His name starts with an S.”

Burns then reduced the mystery to the simplest conclusion: “Anybody on this team would be very excited to play with the No. 1 player in the world. And I’m definitely looking forward to it.”