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SPORTS Wednesday 4 september 2024
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Scottie Scheffler has a strong mind that will be put to the test as

expectations rise: Analysis

By DOUG FERGUSON ter because he has won so
AP Golf Writer much.
ATLANTA (AP) — Scottie His mental strength will need
Scheffler looked old even to be stronger than ever go-
when he was young, so it ing forward. Scheffler has the
was worth taking stock of Presidents Cup in two weeks,
his words when his final task a title to defend in the Baha-
of golf’s greatest season in mas at the Hero World Chal-
nearly two decades was lenge after Thanksgiving and
complete. then it’s on to 2025.
“I feel like I’ve lived almost a Expectations will be higher
full lifetime in this one year,” than ever, especially with so
he said after winning the Fe- many comparisons to Tiger
dEx Cup at East Lake. “It’s Woods.
been nuts.” Woods had no equal dur-
Consider a timeline of imag- ing his peak years. He was
es from the Year of Scottie. compared only with the past,
Scheffler sat on a chair be- Jack Nicklaus and Ben Ho-
hind the 14th tee as his trainer gan, Byron Nelson and Sam
massaged his neck for pain Snead, not anyone who
that had him considering Scottie Scheffler, seated, gets treatment as he waits to tee off on the 14th hole during the second competed against him. And
whether he should withdraw. so it can be unsettling to hear
He stuck it out, and two days There was so much negativ- rounds. Big leads are nice, ent.” Scheffler being mentioned in
later rallied from five behind ity about his putting, some but they’re not easy. Scheffler needed all the the same context.
to become the first player of it justified, particularly on It was like that all year, and it mental strength he could He is the first player since
to win back-to-back at The courses like Riviera and Pine- explains how he could take muster early in the year, Woods to win seven times on
Players Championship. hurst No. 2 where Scheffler on so many big moments, when he was coming up the PGA Tour in one season
He slipped into the green simply couldn’t see clearly. whether it was facing a big on a full year since his last (Woods did that four times).
jacket at Augusta National. There is constant attention deficit or a second-degree PGA Tour victory and there Scheffler needed only 931
He cradled his firstborn, Ben- on the “Scheffler Shuffle,” his felony assault charge (later was a constant conversation days from his first win in the
nett, a few weeks later. He feet sliding back and twisting dismissed), whether it was about his putting. There were Phoenix Open in 2022 to No.
wore an orange jumpsuit on drives that quite often sail newfound fame or a new- whispers he wasn’t really the 13, a shorter time than it took
in a Louisville, Kentucky, jail long and straight. born son. No. 1 player in golf. Woods to go from his first to
after a most peculiar arrest Not nearly enough attention His caddie, Ted Scott, recalls Scheffler doesn’t spend time his 13th. Woods, of course,
during a major champi- is paid to his head. Tom Kim coming up to him reading and he tries not to won his in his fifth start as a
onship. The Olympic gold “My goal to start the week after the Olympics and ask- listen. But it’s hard to ignore. pro and spent 18 months
medal was draped around was just to have the right ing, “How does Scottie stay “Blocking out noise? That overhauling his swing.
his neck when he raised his attitude and use what I feel so grounded with all that’s doesn’t exist,” Scheffler said Scheffler’s lead in the world
arm to wipe tears during the like is my best strength, and going on?” in March before going to Bay ranking is unlike anything
national anthem. He raised that’s my mind,” Scheffler “It’s a great testament to Hill, the start of his astonishing seen since Woods in his
the FedEx Cup trophy. said. who he is,” Scott said. “You run. “Your brain can’t shut prime.
It’s been nuts. He was speaking about the could very quickly have off. You have to focus on Scheffler led the PGA Tour
It also spoke to his most pow- Tour Championship, a four- the year he’s had and act something else. You can’t money list at just over $29.2
erful asset that allowed him day tournament that felt like in a certain way. Scottie is not think negative. You have million this year, with another
to win eight times, including it lasted longer because it ruthless. He’ll put you in the to force your brain into think- $33 million in bonus money.
that Olympic gold medal was his third time playing as ground. You wouldn’t think ing about something else.” But it was Woods and the
when he trailed by six shots the No. 1 seed, and he slept he’s nice if you were com- That works both ways ig- frenzy he created that made
on the back nine at Le Golf on a lead that was at least peting against him. But as noring the criticism and the prize money go up in the first
National in Paris. four shots for the last three soon as it’s over, it’s differ- platitudes, especially the lat- place.q

Oilers sign Leon Draisaitl to an 8-year

extension worth $112 million

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — man said. "Leon's commitment Draisaitl surpasses Auston Mat-
The Edmonton Oilers have to our team, our city and Oil- thews' $13.25 million cap hit
signed Leon Draisaitl to an ers fans everywhere cannot with this new contract, which
eight-year contract exten- be overstated. His desire to nearly doubles his salary. The
sion worth $112 million, a deal help bring a Stanley Cup title 28-year-old Draisaitl is making
that gives the German star home to Edmonton is central $8.5 million on average on his
the highest salary cap hit in to everything he does both current contract, which was
NHL history at $14 million. on and off the ice." signed in 2017 and became Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) skates on the ice dur-
The new contract begins Draisaitl and Connor McDa- one of the most team friendly ing the third period of Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup
with the 2025-26 season and vid helped the team reach in the league. The big forward Final against the Florida Panthers, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla.
runs through 2033. General Game 7 of the Stanley Cup from Cologne has been worth Associated Press
manager Stan Bowman an- final this past year. Draisaitl, every penny, putting up 850 top producers in playoff history plus games in the postseason
nounced the extension Tues- the league's MVP in 2020, was points in 719 regular-season with 108 in 74. Draisaitl's 1.46 behind Hall of Famers Wayne
day. "This is a historic day for set to be an unrestricted free games since making his NHL points a game rank fourth all Gretzky and Mario Lemieux
the Edmonton Oilers," Bow- agent next summer. debut and being one of the time among players with 40- and McDavid.q