OWINGS MILLS, Md. Scottie Scheffler is navigating the FedEx Cup Playoffs without longtime caddie Ted Scott, who is away due to a family emergency. The World No. 1 golfer will have a temporary caddie for the BMW Championship and remains uncertain if Scott will return for next week’s Tour Championship at East Lake.
Scott, who has been alongside Scottie Scheffler for all 17 of his PGA Tour victories including four major championships, left the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis after three rounds to return home to Louisiana.
“Ted’s where he needs to be right now,” Scottie Scheffler said during his Wednesday pro-am at Caves Valley Golf Club. “Caddying is the last thing on his mind, as it should be. I have talked to him a few times and the family is in good spirits and doing well.”
Brad Payne and Michael Cromie Step In
In the final round at Memphis, PGA Tour chaplain and close friend Brad Payne stepped in for Scheffler, making the drive from Dallas to caddie at short notice. Payne had also filled in earlier this year at the PGA Championship when Scott attended his daughter’s graduation. Scheffler carded a 3-under 67 in that final round, finishing T3, just one shot out of a playoff.
For the BMW Championship, Scottie Scheffler has turned to Michael Cromie, the regular caddie for Chris Kirk. Kirk, who finished 51st in FedEx Cup points, narrowly missed qualifying for this week’s event, freeing Cromie to join Scheffler.
“Mike is a great guy. He works really hard and we are both learning a new course,” Scheffler said. “It is about building a routine, knowing my numbers and shot preferences. We will figure it out as we go.”
High Stakes for Scottie Scheffler at BMW Championship
The BMW Championship is the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs with quadruple points on the line. The top 30 players after Sunday advance to the Tour Championship in Atlanta where they will compete for a 40 million dollar purse and the FedEx Cup trophy.
While Scottie Scheffler has already secured his spot in Atlanta, a win this week would be his first PGA Tour victory without Ted Scott on the bag.
“You cannot replace Ted, he has been there through everything, but we will make the most of the situation,” Scheffler said. “Right now, his family is what matters most.”
With the playoffs reaching their climax, Scottie Scheffler is proving that adaptability may be just as important as skill on the course.
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