The National Times - No.1 Scheffler excited at progress, Texas-style Masters menu

The two-time Masters champion, coming off a nine-win campaign in 2024, shared 20th place at last week's Players Championship and cut a frustrated figure on the course during the weekend.

"Any time you get frustrated on the golf course, you are trying to manage your way around. At times I thought I did a good job of that. At times I let it get to me," Scheffler said in a Masters conference call.

"There were some things I could have changed a little bit. I didn't think I had the stuff last week to get it done."

Scheffler suffered a right hand injury while making Christmas dinner and had shards of glass removed from his palm, a setback that hampered his swing and limited practice for weeks.

"I have absolutely no pain in my hand at all, but I've had to build up the strength again in my hand," Scheffler said.

"There was a pretty good chunk of time where I wasn't able to do the things I normally do. Not being able to do that was an adjustment."

In five events this year, Scheffler's best showing was a share of third at the Genesis Invitational.

"My ball striking has not been as good as it has been the past couple years. All of that is getting the body back to where it has been," said Scheffler.

"A lot of it is not being able to get the reps. I feel like I'm getting sharper and sharper and closer and closer to playing some good golf and excited about the events coming up."

Scheffler will play the Houston Open next week before seeking his third title in four years at Augusta National.

"I'm excited about the way I'm progressing. I'm excited about the golf I'm playing. I'm excited about the things I'm improving at the moment," Scheffler said.

World number two Rory McIlroy, who won the Players and last month's Pebble Beach Pro-Am, will try to complete a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters. He and Scheffler are the oddsmakers' favorites.

"I'm not going to gamble on the Masters tournament so I could not really care any less," Scheffler said.

Scheffler is excited about his menu for the April 8 champions dinner.

"It's my favorite foods, haven't quite changed too much but there's a little bit more nostalgic stuff," Scheffler said.

Appetizers include "Scottie-style" sliders, firecracker shrimp and "Papa Scheff's Meatball and Ravioli bites" followed by Texas-style chili, wood-fired ribeye steak or blackened redfish and a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie.

"Cheeseburgers is probably my favorite food," Scheffler said. "I always put the fries on my burger. That's 'Scottie-style.' I'll throw some cheese in there, some ketchup. It's great."

The chili recipe came from his long-time coach, Randy Smith, and Scheffler's father's meatballs also made the list.

"His meatballs were the best growing up," Scheffler. "Every time he made them we were jacked up about it. The raviolis are pretty good as well."

L.Johnson--TNT