ST ANDREWS, Scotland: Scottie Scheffler got off to a typically cautious but efficient start to his bid for the British Open title with a solid four-under-par 68 at St Andrews on Thursday.
The American world number one, who won this year’s Masters and tied for second at the US Open, accumulated five birdies and a lone bogey on the Old Course to finish in a group four strokes behind leader Cameron Young.
Scheffler, 26, has consistently flown under the radar in his rise to the top of the leaderboard but has been a presence on the leaderboards all season.
He got off to a quick start with three consecutive birdies from the third hole and, after dropping a shot on the 13th, recovered with a birdie on the 14th before carefully working his way through the closing stages.
His low profile doesn’t seem to bother him.
“I don’t really pay attention to stuff like that,” he told reporters. “For me, I just show up and try to play good golf.
“I mean it’s your opinion. It’s all perception. For me I’m just out here trying to play good golf.”
His game plan is very simple.
“I’m just trying to stay in position, avoid the bunkers and just stay in position, really,” he said. “That’s all I’m trying to do.
“There are certain places where you can attack this golf course and there are many places where you can’t. So just try to live up to expectations and really just try to hit and hit good shots.”