Scottie Scheffler talks the return of Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed
If there’s one thing we can be sure of it’s Scottie Scheffler this is not the case such as, noise.
The greatest golfer who ever lived at the start of 2026 didn’t seem to be bothered by many things. Not bogeys, not losing, and certainly not other golfers turning the throne of World No. is something something that gets under his skin, noise – or, as you may refer to it, chat, drama, rumor mill, tea.
Scheffler has been remarkably adept at avoiding third-rail topics during his regular media appearances, his radar for tabloid fodder questions apparently on the same frequency as a nuclear submarine. He will not talk directly about his wishes and dreams. He won’t talk to his fellow professional golfers about anything but genuine admiration. He won’t talk about hot-button issues in a way that suggests even a passing interest in golf. macabre articles.
But Wednesday at the WM Phoenix Open was different.
On Wednesday, Scheffler spoke to the media for the first time since 2026’s biggest development in the world of golf: Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed are returning to the PGA Tour after several years with LIV.
In the past, such a news story might represent a great opportunity for the past Schefflerism: “I’m focused on my game right now.” But on Wednesday, Scheffler addressed the situation head-on.
“If you look at the many conversations we’ve had and if you look at what many fans have said, I think people want the best people to play together again,” said Scheffler. “So when it comes to top players like Brooks or Patrick Reed, Patrick Reed is a major champion and I think Brooks Koepka has won five majors, so to have these guys competing here is good for the Tour, good for the fans, and good for our sponsors.”
OK — it wasn’t exactly a People-a fitting soundbite from World No. 1, but showed a change that came into clear focus throughout Scheffler’s press conference from Phoenix in his second start of 2026. A change? Scheffler’s status as the unquestioned world No. 1 we made him go from a guy interested in his golf to a guy who admires him. opinions about golf. His words carry more weight in 2026 now that the historical significance of his past five seasons is there. In turn, the questions facing Scheffler have changed, too. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy hold similar roles in the sport – but that may be the end of the comparisons.
It meant, too, that Scheffler chose this a subject that should speak in an assertive tone. What better subject could speak to Scheffler’s avoidance of drama than two of LIV’s most important players returning home with integrity. I’m guilty — to lower the temperature of the sport and put the Tour squarely on the front foot? If LIV has fewer titles, then Scheffler has fewer landmines – and that’s good news.
“I think the last couple of years – there’s just been a lot of buzz, so I think getting those guys back is another step towards us being able to play golf again,” Scheffler said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to the most.”
More good news facing Scheffler in the winter of 2026? Even landmines are not very deceptive. The questions facing the golfer are broad, but that’s because Scheffler’s golf has proven to be one. He enters February with 20 PGA Tour victories, four majors, a tie for World No. 1 ranking and a US Open career Grand Slam date.
That’s a resume that doesn’t need hype, which is just the way Scheffler likes it.
