Scottie Scheffler's 2025 Season: How The World's Best Player is Preparing for Presidents Cup Defense

Scottie Scheffler enters the 2025 Presidents Cup not just as the world's top-ranked player, but as arguably the most dominant force in modern golf. His 2025 season has been nothing short of historic, with five victories, including two major championships, and a scoring average that would break PGA Tour records if maintained through the FedExCup playoffs. Yet, as Scheffler himself admits, team competition presents a completely different challenge.

Historic 2025 Campaign

Scheffler's 2025 season has defied even the lofty expectations set by his previous accomplishments. His victory at The Masters by nine shots—tying Tiger Woods' margin of victory—was followed by a dominant win at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, where he became the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015 to win multiple majors in a single season.

What makes Scheffler's season particularly remarkable is his consistency across all metrics. He leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained total (2.94), strokes gained approach (1.87), and greens in regulation percentage (74.3%). But perhaps most impressively, he's second in strokes gained putting (0.85), a category where he previously ranked outside the top 50.

"I've spent countless hours with my putting coach, Phil Kenyon, refining my stroke and my green reading," Scheffler explained after his recent victory at the Travelers Championship. "The confidence I have over the putter now changes how I approach approach shots. I'm not just trying to get it close; I'm trying to make everything."

Team Golf Evolution

Despite his individual success, Scheffler's Presidents Cup record stands at a modest 0.5-3-1 from his 2022 debut. That experience, he says, was invaluable in understanding the unique pressures and strategies of team competition.

"In 2022, I learned that your individual form doesn't always translate directly to team success," Scheffler admitted during a recent interview. "The emotional component is completely different. When you're playing for your teammates and your country, every shot feels heavier. I've been working with a sports psychologist to better manage those emotions."

His partnership with Sam Burns, his close friend and frequent PGA Tour travel companion, remains one of Team USA's potential strengths. The two have practiced extensively together since the last Presidents Cup, focusing on alternate shot strategy and communication.

"Sam and I have spent days playing alternate shot rounds at home courses in Dallas," Scheffler revealed. "We've developed a system of communication that allows us to make decisions quickly and confidently. We understand each other's games so well that we can anticipate needs before they arise."

Equipment Evolution

Scheffler has made subtle but significant equipment changes for 2025 that could benefit his Presidents Cup performance. His switch to Titleist's new Pro V1x ball has provided slightly lower spin rates on full shots while maintaining the soft feel he prefers around the greens.

More significantly, he's added a TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus driver (9 degrees) to his bag, replacing the Qi10 model he used previously. The change has resulted in a 2.3 mph increase in clubhead speed while maintaining the tight dispersion patterns that make him one of the most accurate drivers on tour.

"Distance is great, but accuracy is what wins in match play," Scheffler noted. "The new driver gives me the confidence to be aggressive off the tee without fear of missing fairways. On a course like Royal Montreal, where positioning is everything, that's crucial."

Strategic Preparation for Royal Montreal

Scheffler has been studying Royal Montreal extensively, using advanced analytics to understand how his game fits the course's demands. He's particularly focused on the par-3s, where the course features four challenging holes that could determine match outcomes.

"The 14th hole at Royal Montreal is going to be fascinating," Scheffler said. "220 yards over water to a peninsula green. I've been practicing that exact shot at home, using different winds and yardages to simulate conditions. Having a specific game plan for the four par-3s could be the difference between winning and losing."

He's also been working extensively on his iron play from 150-200 yards, the range that will be most frequently tested at Royal Montreal. Trackman data shows Scheffler's proximity to the hole from this range has improved by 18% compared to 2024.

Leadership Role

As the world's top-ranked player, Scheffler will be expected to take on a leadership role for Team USA. While he's not one of the official captains, his experience and success naturally command respect in the team room.

"I learned from watching players like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth how to be a good teammate," Scheffler explained. "It's not just about your own performance; it's about supporting the other guys, sharing information, and creating a positive atmosphere. I feel much more comfortable in that role now than I did in 2022."

Team USA captain Jim Furyk has already indicated that Scheffler will likely play in all five sessions, given his current form and improved comfort with team competition. The strategic question will be which partners to pair him with in the fourball and foursomes sessions.

The Mental Game

Perhaps the biggest evolution in Scheffler's game has been mental. Working with sports psychologist Dr. Mo Pickel, he's developed techniques to manage the anxiety and pressure that previously affected his Presidents Cup performance.

"I've learned to embrace the nerves rather than fight them," Scheffler said. "The adrenaline you feel in team competition is different—it's more about responsibility than personal achievement. I've learned to channel that energy into focus rather than letting it create tension."

This mental evolution was evident during his recent major victories, where he maintained composure under extreme pressure. His ability to make crucial putts on the back nine of both The Masters and PGA Championship demonstrated a newfound comfort with high-stakes situations.

Presidential Cup Goals

Looking ahead to Royal Montreal, Scheffler has clear objectives. "First and foremost, I want to contribute points for Team USA," he stated. "Personally, I'd love to go 5-0-0, but that's secondary to helping the team retain the cup."

He's also focused on being a good teammate, sharing course insights with less experienced players and supporting the overall team strategy. "This isn't about individual glory," Scheffler emphasized. "It's about twelve guys coming together to achieve something special."

As September approaches, all eyes will be on Scheffler to see if his historic individual success can translate to Presidents Cup dominance. If his 2025 season is any indication, the International Team will have their hands full facing the world's most dominant player.