The immense popularity of Scottie Scheffler is creating challenging conditions for golfers playing alongside the world No. 1, according to golf analyst Johnson Wagner. During the recent 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, Wagner observed that the large crowds drawn by Scheffler's presence had a tangible negative impact on his playing partners.
Wagner described the situation as "ridiculous," noting that on a Thursday morning, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people were already present to watch Scheffler, who was making his first appearance at the Minnesota course. This surge of spectators led to significant disruptions for those sharing the course with him.
He recounted an instance where Brian Harman, playing with Scheffler on a Saturday, had to back off his tee shots multiple times due to the movement of the crowd. The disruptions extended even to short putts. "If Scottie made a putt and Harman’s got five feet for par of whatever, he’s inside him, it was brutal," Wagner said.
Wagner compared the experience to playing alongside Tiger Woods, suggesting that the sheer volume of people swarming the greens or scattering across the fairways creates an environment unlike any other in professional golf. While acknowledging the crowds were "amazing," he emphasized the difficulty for competitors.
Scheffler concluded the 3M Open with a strong performance, shooting an 8-under 63 on Sunday to finish three shots behind winner Jackson Koivun. This marked his fifth runner-up finish of the season, a historic achievement as he is the first player since PGA Tour records began in 1983 to record that many second-place finishes in a single season. His consistent high performance, including being just one shot behind Rory McIlroy at the Masters, has solidified his status as a major draw in golf.