Scottie Scheffler Faces Frustration at Memorial Tournament After Water Hazard Incident

Scottie Scheffler entered the 2026 Memorial Tournament aiming for a third consecutive victory, but he ended the first round on June 4 in a disappointing tie for 33rd place with a score of 1-over par, trailing the leader by six strokes. While this deficit might seem significant, Scheffler is renowned for his ability to perform exceptionally well during the final rounds, keeping him in the running for another championship.

Despite his potential, Scheffler appeared visibly frustrated with his performance throughout the day. An unfortunate series of events unfolded after he recorded a bogey on the 14th hole, culminating in a mishap on the 16th. His shot veered left of the green and took an unexpected bounce into the water, a rare occurrence for the top-ranked golfer in the world.

Following the incident, Scheffler expressed his displeasure to his caddie, revealing his inner turmoil. "I never thought it was in the water," he admitted. "I don't know what to do," showcasing his confusion and disappointment at the miscalculation.

After completing his round, Scheffler remained introspective, sharing his frustrations with reporters. "I just don't really know what I'm supposed to do there outside of trying to hit a good shot, and then it's frustrating when it doesn't work out," he explained. "It can be very frustrating sometimes when you feel like you're hitting good shots and then you're going to the drop zone."

Despite the setback on the 16th hole, where he recorded a double bogey, Scheffler managed to recover with a birdie on the following hole. For context, Scheffler had previously started strong in the last two Memorial Tournaments, finishing the first rounds at 2-under par in 2025 and 5-under par in 2024, ultimately winning both events.