Scottie Scheffler’s post-Ryder Cup behaviour should raise serious concerns for PGA rivals

After a disappointing run at Bethpage Black, some of Scheffler’s rivals may have seen it as their chance to close the gap.

But if history is any guide, they might be in for another letdown.

Scheffler was visibly upset after one match in Rome, where he and Brooks Koepka were beaten 9&7 by Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg – the largest margin in Ryder Cup history.

That record defeat left a mark, and Europe went on to win comfortably. The criticism from the media was not just about his play, it was about how uncharacteristically flat he looked throughout the week.

It is impossible not to draw parallels between then and now. But there is something worth remembering: what came next after that tough stretch two years ago.

Scottie Scheffler’s dominant run on the PGA Tour after the 2023 Ryder Cup

The first event the world number one played following that week was the Hero World Challenge, where he claimed a three-stroke win over Sepp Straka.

He secured four victories in his subsequent 10 PGA Tour starts, including an additional Masters title. He only finished outside the top 10 once, tying for 17th at The American Express.

Alongside the Masters win, those victories included another Players Championship and two Signature Event titles.

That stretch of form suggested he used the Ryder Cup disappointment as motivation to sharpen his game even further.

It is hard to imagine Scheffler reacting any differently after Bethpage Black than he did after Rome. He knows how to respond when things do not go his way.

If history is any guide, backing against him returning stronger would be a risky bet. The 29-year-old has made a habit of turning setbacks into fuel for success.