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sports Diamars 12 aPriL 2022

Scheffler’s journey to the Masters a true family affair

(AP) — It doesn’t seem tionship between the Schef-
that long ago to Scott flers and the Smiths has
Scheffler that he was only deepened through the
standing on the green be- years. Maybe that’s why Rick
hind Bergen Community leaned over on Scottie’s bag
College in Paramus, New as he was inside signing his
Jersey, dutifully holding a scorecard after the biggest
flashlight while his only tournament — so far — of
son — just 5 or 6 at the his still burgeoning career.
time — hit shots in the
dark. Rick was over at Scheffler’s
house on Saturday night,
And if one of Scottie Schef- trying to get him to relax as
fler’s wayward strokes hap- he sat on a three-shot lead
pened to smack into one of heading into Sunday. They
his sisters, so be it. worked on Scheffler’s align-
ment. On his ball position.
It’s what brothers do. And on his mood, watching
Instagram videos in an effort
Nearly two decades later, to keep things light.
Scottie Scheffler’s aim is con-
siderably better. Yes, that was While Scheffler admitted
the kid who used to peg his his stomach had been hurt-
siblings with impunity tug- ing over the weekend and
ging the green jacket over his he cried Sunday morning
broad shoulders after win- Oaks Country Club mostly Scott Scheffler made it a point While Scott Scheffler laugh- because of the pressure, he
ning the Masters on Sunday because it meant Scott Schef- to make sure his kids were ingly admitted, “Schefflers hardly looked rattled while
afternoon. fler could keep all four kids well-rounded. While stress- have their issues, but they’re posting a 1-under 71 that
in one place. ing “I’m no guru,” he pointed good people,” he grew more gave him a three-shot vic-
And yes, that was most of out how vital it was to make serious when asked what the tory. There was just one ma-
the Scheffler clan — sisters While Scott Scheffler under- sure Scottie didn’t focus on world needs to know about jor hiccup, a four-putt on the
Callie and Molly (other sis- stands his son’s origin story golf all the time. He tried as a the unassuming 25-year-old 18th with his win assured,
ter Sara is in Portugal) along takes a familiar narrative and sophomore at Highland Park board game aficionado who though Smith couldn’t help
with Scott and wife Diane — turns it on his head — it was High School only to realize is now the hottest golfer on but laugh when asked at what
huddled together just outside Scott who served as the stay- he missed playing basketball the planet. point he finally relaxed.
Butler Cabin to celebrate a at-home dad while Diane too much. So it was back to
jet-fueled rise to the top that worked — he doesn’t see it the basketball team the fol- The family bonds extend be- There’s time to exhale, but
really wasn’t that jet-fueled at as revolutionary or strange or lowing year. yond Team Scheffler. not much. In early February,
all. uncommon. Scheffler was still searching
Yet Scottie was hardly the Randy Smith, the PGA Hall for his first PGA Tour win. In
There were the days back Maybe, but someone had to only athlete in the fam- of Fame pro, has worked early April, he’s on the kind
in north New Jersey when get Team Scheffler to all those ily. Callie Scheffler played with Scottie for years, and of run that he couldn’t have
the Scheffler kids were in- sporting events. Youth golf at Texas A&M and served Rick’s son Blake is Schef- imagined while drilling putts
troduced to the game. They tournaments. High school as Scottie’s caddie when he fler’s agent. Blake and Scot- into the north Jersey nights,
moved to Dallas when Di- basketball practices. The list qualified for the 2016 U.S. tie met soon after the Schef- hardly worried about where
ane switched law firms as a is seemingly endless. The fact Open at Oakmont as an ama- flers joined Royal Oaks and the putt went, who it hit, or
chief operating officer. They it was dad doing most of the teur, and Molly and Sara are the two would play together whether mom or dad was
quickly decided to join Royal driving hardly mattered. players, too. when they could. That rela- one driving them home.

Warriors’ Thompson carrying vintage form

into the playoffs

(AP) — Klay Thompson’s jury, Thompson has scored we want to keep going, be-
form is now the least of 30 or more in three straight cause I’m still juts scratch-
Golden State’s worries. games. Since Jan. 9, when ing the surface of what I can
he resumed a career derailed become.” In New Orleans,
“The proof is on the court more than two seasons by Thompson looked like the
just what he’s looked like successive knee and Achilles sharp-shooter who could
over the last couple weeks,” injuries, Thompson has aver- single-handedly take over a
Warriors coach Steve Kerr aged 20 points per game over game.
said after Thompson poured 32 games.
in a season-high 41 points He scored 21 first-half points
in a 128-107 victory in New “I pat myself on the back be- to stake Golden State to a
Orleans on Sunday night to cause when you go through 20-point halftime lead. And course, 3s — seven of them. ditioning. Early on, he want-
end the regular season. “He’s the injuries I did, there’s when New Orleans tried to ed everything back so badly
been in a great groove now, some really slow days,” make a game of it late in the Kerr said the scoring display he was forcing the issue, and
so it’s a really good sign.” Thompson said. “There’s so third quarter, Thompson re- Thompson has put on re- it’s just been really fun to
many tedious exercises and turned to put it away with 15 cently “doesn’t surprise me, watch him settle in.”
Thompson’s recent play is just building up your mus- points in a five-minute span actually, because it’s Klay.”
among main reasons the cles again to do what you love early in the fourth quarter. Just in time for the third-
Warriors are heading into is a challenge — something I “He’s one of the greatest seeded Warriors’ first playoff
the playoffs on a five-game never had to do before. So, to His scoring came on every- shooters of all time,” Kerr series in three seasons. They
winning streak. With fellow do it twice and come out and thing from driving reverse continued. “The biggest open their first-round series
“Splash Brother” Stephen average (20 points) is inspir- layups and floaters to pull-up thing is he’s just found his at home against Denver on
Curry sidelined by a foot in- ing for myself and just makes jumpers, turnarounds and, of rhythm. He’s gotten his con- Saturday night.