Scottie Scheffler’s using a Philly-centric golf bag at the PGA. Will that karma help him win a 5th major?
Scheffler is far more substance than style, but this week he's embracing Aronimink and this city. He's also lurking just behind the leaders.
Scottie Scheffler’s custom TaylorMade bag was made for Philly. Is his game the same?
Scheffler showed up at Aronimink this week with golf gear that would make Philly-ophile Bryce Harper jealous. His white leather bag, trimmed in red and light blue, has Independence Hall stitched on the big front zipper pocket, the Liberty Bell on the smaller flap above, Ben Franklin’s picture stitched both beside the handle and on a club head cover.
Around the circular bottom: “City of Brotherly Love.”
The question: Will Aronimink Golf Club show him love?
Scheffler, the best golfer since Tiger Woods, shared the lead at the PGA Championship after a 3-under-par first round. He bogeyed three of his first four holes in Round Two but rallied and stood in eighth place, at 2-under, during his post-round practice session in the cool of Friday evening.
» READ MORE: Aronimink’s pin locations — and whipping winds — wreak havoc on PGA Championship field
After two rounds of wrangling with the course Donald Ross called his “masterpiece,” Scheffler seems to have figured this place out. Which means the rest of the field had better watch out.
“I feel like if it’s hard for me out there, then it’s going to be hard for other players,” Scheffler said. “I love hard tests of golf.”
That’s because he’s so good at passing them.
Scheffler is the reigning PGA Champion. He also won the British Open last year, his fourth major championship win. He’s won the Masters twice and will try to complete the career Grand Slam next month at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island. With 20 PGA Tour wins, only he, Woods, and Jack Nicklaus have won at least 20 PGA tournaments and five majors before the age of 30.
» READ MORE: Struggling Bryson DeChambeau and LIV mates look to revive their impact in the majors at Aronimink
He’s been the No. 1 player in the world for 156 consecutive weeks, the third-longest streak behind Tiger’s runs of 200-plus, and he’s been No. 1, all told, for 191 weeks, which is third behind Tiger and Greg Norman.
When Scheffler left the grounds Friday he was two shots behind Alex Smalley, who has never won a PGA tournament, and Maverick McNealy, who has never sniffed a major. Scheffler came back to win the 2024 Olympic gold medal, the 2024 Players Championship, and 2025 BMW Championship.
Place your bets.
Philly Philly?
Scheffler’s camp says he didn’t conceive, design, or even really approve any of the Philly-centric embroidery. It’s the sort of thing that the manufacturer has waiting at the next tour stop when superstar golfers arrive. In fact, he’s not the only golfer here sponsored by TaylorMade with that flavor of bag, and you can order your own on the TaylorMade website.
It makes sense that Scottie had nothing to do with it. The snazzy bag belies a simple man.
Scheffler is a matter-of-fact Texan cut in the mold of Eagles legends Nick Foles and Lane Johnson. He’s a faith-based family man whose only apparent flaw is his love for the Dallas Cowboys.
» READ MORE: The designers who restored Aronimink and other greats are Philly guys obsessed with golf — and the Birds
Bag aside, Scheffler is far more substance than style.
More than an hour after he finished his 5-hour, 15-minute round ― the pace of play was Sunday-muni slow ― he grabbed a bite to eat, then left his wife, toddler, and infant in Aronimink’s manor-house clubhouse. He then spent an hour hitting balls on the driving range: driver, midiron, wedge practice club with a beginner’s grip.
For the last 45 minutes, he was the only golfer on the range. His caddie, veteran Ted Scott, kept stretching and flexing his weary legs as Scheffler pounded ball after ball into the picturesque pasture framed by trees that is typical of a place like Aronimink.
Like Kobe Bryant’s thrice-daily offseason workouts and Tiger Woods’ six-hour range sessions, this is how the greats stay great.
In relating how challenging it was to navigate 20-mph winds Friday, Scheffler told a story that perfectly framed a blue-collar work ethic that reeks of Philadelphia:
“When we went out to play our practice round on Wednesday, there were guys that elected not to play, just because of how windy it was. It was fairly comparable to how it was this morning. And I was glad I went out there and played on Wednesday, because I think that experience on a new golf course and a lot of wind was helpful for me going into today’s round.”
Philly Philly, indeed.
The 108th PGA Championship returns to Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square for the first time in over six decades.
You can watch Marcus Hayes and Jeff Neiburg preview the tournament on Gameday Central from Aronimink, and be sure to check out the PGA Championship Range Show from 12-2 p.m daily, starting Wednesday.
Whether you're going, watching from home, or just curious about what all the fuss is about, we've got you covered with our PGA guide and stories on everything from Aronimink's history and design, to what the players have to say about returning to the Philly area. We even made a golf video game so you can play the course and learn its secrets.
Get it all with our full PGA Championship preview. And follow the latest news and action from the course, right here.
