Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, has reassured fans that he is “fine” despite wincing in pain from a back injury during the BMW Championship.
The golf star was seen grimacing and clutching his lower back after hitting his ball off the fairway with a 5-iron on the 17th at Castle Pines Golf Club. This sight alarmed PGA Tour and golf fans globally, as it echoed Tiger Woods’ frequent lower back grabs, which eventually derailed his career.
However, Scheffler downplayed his discomfort, attributing it to his back being more troublesome than usual on Thursday.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” Scheffler said. “I woke up just a little sore this morning. I had trouble loosening it up. With it being a little bit tight, it was hard for me to get through it, and I was laboring most of the day to get through the ball.
”On 17, I was trying to hit a high draw, and that’s a shot where I’ve really got to use a big turn, big motion. I just felt it a little bit. But other than that, all good.”
Scheffler also stated that his recovery routine would remain unchanged, adding: “Maybe I hit a few too many balls yesterday or something. It was just a little sore. I’m sure I’ll get some ice on it and stuff. I’ll be totally fine [on Friday].”
The 28-year-old golfer managed to make par on the No. 17 hole, a result that left him frustrated given the par-5 challenge is seen as one of the easiest on the course. Scheffler was unable to get up and down from in front of the green and found himself almost 30 yards short of the hole, where he left his 5-iron.