Bryson DeChambeau has recently praised Scottie Scheffler for his exceptional ability in spin and distance control, comparing the World No.1’s skill to that of Tiger Woods. Highlighting this rare talent, DeChambeau shared his thoughts during a 2025 appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, positioning Scheffler as the best golfer in terms of ball control since Woods.
Scottie Scheffler’s Rise and Comparison to Tiger Woods’ Mastery
Scottie Scheffler, who has emerged as a dominant force in golf, solidified his status with two major victories this year—the PGA Championship and the Open Championship—completing three legs of the career grand slam. His ascent has drawn frequent comparisons to Tiger Woods, a benchmark for excellence in the sport.
DeChambeau, a two-time major winner himself, emphasized that Scheffler’s command over the golf ball’s spin and distance is a level rarely seen in the modern era. He stated,
“He’s got the best spin and distance control I’ve ever seen. He controls the golf ball from a spin perspective so much better than everybody else… His distance control is the best since Tiger (Woods). Yeah, probably since Tiger, he’s the best that we’ve seen.” —Bryson DeChambeau, The Pat McAfee Show
This high praise places Scheffler’s skillset alongside Woods’, highlighting the precision and finesse required to master these aspects of the game. Scheffler’s ability to regulate ball spin and carry distances consistently has contributed significantly to his recent wins and his reputation as the player to beat.
DeChambeau also reflected on his earlier encounters with Scheffler during their college years, remarking how much the current World No.1 has evolved since then.
“I played with [Scottie] a bunch in college, and he was not that good, so he’s figured out a lot of stuff since then.” —Bryson DeChambeau
Recent Performances Solidify Scheffler’s Standing
In addition to his major victories, Scheffler’s consistent performance throughout the 2025 season has been remarkable. At the FedEx St. Jude Championship, he finished tied for third, concluding at 15-under par, just one stroke behind the eventual winner Justin Rose, who clinched the title in a playoff.
This result marked Scheffler’s 14th top-10 finish this year, underscoring his steady form and competitiveness against the world’s best. Despite narrowly missing out on victory at the event, his consistent presence near the top of leaderboards has kept him firmly in contention for upcoming trophies and tournaments.
The Ongoing PGA Tour and PIF Merger Impact on Player Matchups
DeChambeau’s comments about wanting to compete more often against Scheffler came amidst stalled negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding a golf merger. The deal aims to reunify the sport under one tour, facilitating more frequent matchups between top players currently split across different circuits.
During The Pat McAfee Show, when asked if he desired to play alongside Scheffler more regularly, DeChambeau expressed clear enthusiasm:
“I’d love to be playing against Scottie Scheffler as well as I think he’d love to be playing against some of us over here at certain points in time, depending on how things kind of shake out at the end. So do we need to play more? 100 percent, but at the end of the day, it is what it is. It’ll get figured out guys.” —Bryson DeChambeau
This situation currently limits direct competition mostly to major championships, where players from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf crossover. DeChambeau’s own recent performance at the Open Championship, where Scheffler triumphed, saw him bounce back from a difficult opening round 78 to finish tied for 10th, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level despite limited opportunities against Scheffler during regular season play.
Potential Future Showdowns and Ryder Cup Implications
As both tours approach the end of their respective seasons, the likelihood of DeChambeau and Scheffler facing off increases. Scheffler currently holds fourth place in the US Ryder Cup standings, placing him in prime position to qualify automatically for the biennial team event, provided he maintains his form.
DeChambeau’s desire to compete against Scheffler more frequently aligns with fans’ hopes for high-profile duels between golf’s elite. Should the PGA Tour and PIF finalize the merger, it could pave the way for regular head-to-head clashes, enriching the competitive landscape and thrilling golf enthusiasts worldwide.
For now, both players continue to demonstrate their exceptional skills, with Scheffler’s mastery of Tiger Woods spin distance control standing out as a key factor in his ascendancy, while DeChambeau remains a formidable contender eager for more opportunities to test himself against the best.