Defending Players champion Scottie Scheffler says being world No 1 matters little to him day to day as he explains why a dominant figure in golf would be good for the game - watch The Players live on Sky Sports from 11.30am, Thursday through to final round on Sunday
Tuesday 12 March 2024 20:43, UK
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler says it would be "good for the game" if one player was able to dominate golf but does not see anyone enjoying the sustained success of Tiger Woods.
Woods - missing this week's Players at TPC Sawgrass as Scheffler looks to defend the title he claimed in 2023 - won 14 majors between 1997 and 2008 as he bossed the sport.
Scheffler is the form player in the current era, extending his lead at the top of the world rankings with a five-stroke victory at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
The 27-year-old, who has posted top-12 finishes in 25 of his last 30 starts on the PGA Tour and last missed a cut in August 2022, said: "In my lifetime, Tiger has been the guy that has dominated. I don't know if we will ever see anything like that in the game of golf.
"Guys pop up on the radar and win a load of tournaments at once but nobody's really been able to have the longevity that Tiger had.
"I think it would be good for the game [if someone dominated]. We'll see what happens with the sport in the next few years.
"I think of the NBA, you look at Steph Curry for those years where the [Golden State] Warriors were winning a bunch, people would say they got tired of it.
"But, at the end of the day, people were still showing up and watching because he was incredible to watch, and you want to watch greatness when you're out there.
"[Golf] is a pretty challenging game and we've got a lot of talent out here, so being that dominant figure is a very tall task to ask of anybody. But we've got some guys out here that I think can definitely pull it off."
On how much stock he places on being world No 1, Scheffler said: "It is nice. I would much rather be No 1 than No 2 but in my day-to-day life it doesn't really affect anything.
"It's probably much harder to stay No 1 than get there so if it's something that is going to occupy a lot of my thoughts then I don't think that's a good thing.
"In tournament weeks being No 1 doesn't do anything for me. I don't get an extra stroke. It doesn't really matter at the end of the day.
When asked why no player has won The Players back-to-back, Scheffler added: "I think it's just the nature of the course, it doesn't really suit one type of player.
"It really is a genius design where you have to hit all different kinds of shots, and it tests you in a lot of different ways. That's why I think it's one of the best places we play.
"Bomb and gouge doesn't really work out here, you have got to plot your way around, but then you even have the shorter hitters that plot it around that can struggle here.
"You have got to hit it exactly where you're looking or you're going to be punished pretty severely out here."
Sky Sports Golf will once again be the home of The Players in 2024, with nearly 60 hours of live coverage during tournament week and a host of extra content available for you to enjoy. Live coverage begins on Thursday at 11.30am.
Bonus coverage will be available via the red button for all four tournament rounds, with featured groups and bonus marquee groups there to enjoy every day alongside a special featured holes feed.
Watch The Players live from March 14-17 live on Sky Sports. Stream the PGA Tour and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
You can now receive messages and alerts for the latest breaking sports news, analysis, in-depth features and videos from our dedicated WhatsApp channel. Find out more here...
