‘I see the similarities now…’ Golf legend likens Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods

Golf legend Ernie Els sees a bit of Tiger Woods in Scottie Scheffler right now off the back of his third major title at the PGA Championship.

Golf legend Ernie Els admits he is now starting to “see the similarities” between Tiger Woods in his prime and Scottie Scheffler of today.

Els, 55, made his feelings be known to the media ahead of this week’s Senior PGA Championship at Congressional.

The South African won four major titles – two US Opens and two Opens – during Woods’ prime on the PGA Tour.

So he knows exactly how tough it was to win tournaments and especially majors during the height of Woods’ career.

Woods, of course, has gone on to win 15 career majors and a record-tying 82 PGA Tour titles.

The 49-year-old’s golf career now looks to be drawing to a close as Woods continues to recover from surgery for an Achilles tendon.

Fresh off his latest victory at the PGA Championship on Sunday and Scheffler now stands at three majors and 15 PGA Tour wins, all at the age of 28.

Scheffler now joins Woods and 18-time major record holder Jack Nicklaus as the only players since World War II to have 15 wins and three majors before turning 29 years of age.

Woods, Nicklaus and Scheffler are also the only three players in the men’s game to have multiple Masters wins, Players wins and a PGA Championship.

Scheffler has now won nine times on the PGA Tour in just over 12 months, and 11 times in total around the world.

He also enters this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge in his home state of Texas off the back of having won back to back titles on the PGA Tour.

Els has already seen enough from Scheffler to liken his game and aura to Woods.

“I see the similarities now with Scheffler [and Woods],” said Els.

“Seems like he plays his best golf under the most extreme pressure, and that’s a hallmark of a champion.

“There’s more confidence that he’s getting by winning these tournaments. It’s only going to get tougher for the group following to try and get into that kind of mindset that he’s in. I think Tiger brought that intensity.

“You had your work cut out for you. I won four majors in his era, and there was a lot of other guys that won majors in that era, but we never got to the six, seven, eight. Mickelson did eventually; he got to six majors. But he had a hold on us. You knew you were in for a tough tournament when he was around, and I think that’s happening now with Scheffler.” Scheffler back in action this week

Scheffler opened with a 2-under 68 in the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Texas on Thursday.

The World No.1 finds himself five shots off the early pace set by John Pak.

Scheffler didn’t drive the ball particularly well, finding just five fairways in the first round.

But he’s happy to have still shot an under-par round in his first day back to work since winning his third career major title.

“Energy levels are good. Brain levels might be a little low, according to that,” reflected Scheffler after the first round.

“No, I feel like I get my legs back under me today. Did some things well. Did some things I’ve got to improve on. I’ll go home and get some rest and get ready for tomorrow.”

Els is looking to win his first senior major title at the Senior PGA at Congressional this week.

The four-time major champion is off to a solid start with a round of 3-under 69.

Congressional was the scene of Els’ second U.S. Open title in 1997.

Cameron Percy of Australia leads the way after the first round with a 5-under 67.

English LIV Golf duo Richard Bland and Lee Westwood are also in the field, and they started with rounds of 2-under 70 and 1-under 71 respectively.