AUGUSTA, Ga. — No one has as good a perspective on Masters leader Scottie Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, as Bubba Watson, who won two green jackets with Scott on his bag.
Watson believes Scott, whom Scheffler hired in November, has had a profound effect on Scheffler, who’s won his first three tournaments since he connected with Scott.
“Obviously, having Teddy on the bag calms him down,’’ said Watson, who won the 2012 and 2014 Masters with Scott. “He’s been around this place, obviously. It should help him a lot.’’
Asked what Scott brings to Scheffler, Watson said, “Well, he just brings confidence.
“When a guy’s confident in the club selection, the guy’s confident in the yardage, confident in the wind — even if he’s lying to you and he just sounds confident — it gives you confidence, right?
Bubba Watson (left) said Ted Scott, his former caddie, has been an invaluable asset to Scottie Scheffler. Reuters; EPA
“That’s what a great caddie’s going to do, a good caddie’s going to do, and that’s really what it is.’’
Watson said Scheffler’s “knowing that he’s got a guy on the bag that’s won around here, that has notes’’ give him added confidence.
“Teddy is a really peaceful guy; he doesn’t really react too much,’’ Scheffler said. “Teddy’s been a great addition to the team. I have a lot of faith in him. He works really hard. I respect him as a person. When we’re out there I have a lot of faith in him. It’s really nice just having someone I can trust so much out there with me.’’
Scheffler’s plan to relax before the most important round of his life was to watch reruns of “The Office’’ with his wife, Meredith, Saturday night.
Asked who his favorite character in the show is, he said, “I cannot choose, I really can’t. My wife used to not like the show, and it’s by far my favorite show. I love it. She used to watch random episodes with me and she’s like, ‘This show is stupid, why do you watch that?’
“I finally convinced her to start it from the beginning, and she loves it and she’s cracking up. I think we are like two episodes into Season 4. I’m just looking forward to sitting back and giggling a little bit and eating some good food.’’
Rory McIlroy rallied to a 1-under par 71 Saturday to get to 1-over for the week, but well out of contention. So, his eighth try at completing the career grand slam is done.
“It’s been a tough couple of days, and I’ve just sort of hung in there as best as I could,’’ he said. “It’s not really conditions favorable for going low and trying to get close to the leaders. So, it’s just sort of hanging in there and doing the best that you can.’’
The cold weather was a hot topic among players Saturday.
“It was tough, cold,’’ Marc Leishman said. “The greens quickened up overnight back to, I would say, Masters speed.’’
Asked if it felt like a British Open with the weather conditions, Leishman said, “I’ve never worn this many layers at the Open before. I’ve got five layers on. And I never even thought about taking any of them off. I feel like the Michelin man at the moment.’’
