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Scotty Scheffler insists that completing a career Grand Slam has never been a motivating factor and that he won’t consider it a failure if he doesn’t win the US Open this week.
Scheffler is already a four-time major champion after capturing both the PGA Championship and The Open last season, and this week’s event at Shinnecock Hills presents his first chance to complete the career Grand Slam.
The world No 1 is the pre-tournament favorite and has had top three finishes in half of his 12 global starts this season, including runner-up to Rory McIlroy at The Masters, though is refusing to put pressure on himself to complete a Grand Slam this week.
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A look back at Scotty Scheffler’s best final round moments at the majors ahead of a historic Grand Slam bid at the US Open
“Would it be a dream to win the US Open? Sure, but at the end of the day, Grand Slams have never been a motivating factor for me,” Scheffler said in his pre-tournament press conference. “I’ve always wanted to be the best version of myself and that’s what got me this far.
“When it comes to these golf tournaments, I’m going to step on the first tee and remind myself that I’ve done everything I can to play well. Now it’s just a matter of going out there and trying to execute and go back to enjoy the competition, versus feeling like you have to win for whatever reason.”
Scheffler has top-10 finishes in 11 of his last 14 major starts – since the start of 2023 – and three runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour this year, but remains concerned about his prospects of closing down a Grand Slam.
“If I finish second this week, it’s almost like, ‘Hey, you’ve failed at your first career Grand Slam’. Is second place a failure?” Scheffler explained.
“Yes, it can feel that way, but sometimes when you look at the wider view of the game and where your game is, the second one isn’t always so bad – but man, does it hurt at the same time.
“If I win this tournament it will be amazing, but then I’ll show up next week and it’s ‘OK, now Scotty won the Grand Slam, he’s won all these golf tournaments. Now where do we go from here?’
Scottie Scheffler is looking to win the US Open for the first time
“So no matter what, as a player and a professional athlete, you’re never going to live up to people’s expectations.
“There’s something wrong with our sport, if I can win the US Open I’ll be satisfied. I’ve won all the tournaments, and my career is basically over, and I’ve done everything I want to do. But I think the goal posts always go further.”
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Victory would see Scheffler become just the seventh player in history to win four majors, following Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and McIlroy, with the final round in New York also coinciding with his 30th birthday.
Scheffler claimed six global victories last season and has a winning start to 2026 at the American Express, his 20th PGA Tour victory, although his dominant form has been questioned after failing to reach the winner’s circle.
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Highlights from The American Express’ final round, as Scotty Scheffler claims 20th PGA Tour title
“I think I’ve been close most of the year,” Scheffler added. “I feel like I haven’t been as sharp as I should have been. I think the margin is very small in this game. To win a lot of my tournaments, you have to be really, really sharp.
“I think statistically I think I’m probably leading the FedExCup, I think I’m leading the strokes gained stats, so it’s not a bad year by any means. Does it depend on how I’ve played the last few years? Probably not, but it’s not that far off.”
Who will win the US Open? Watch live all week on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the opening round begins on Thursday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or Flow without any contract.
