Scottie Scheffler Draws Criticism for Blunt Response to R...

By Matthew Couden

Contributing Writer

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In the third round of The Masters, Rory McIlroy lost control of his dominance of the leaderboard, and Scottie Scheffler made a significant push towards the top.

Saturday's performance featured Scheffler achieving an eagle on the second hole and five birdies. By the time his third round was over, he'd shot a 7-under 65 and was tied for eighth place with Patrick Reed.

As of this writing, McIlroy had lost the six-shot lead he had after two rounds and had since fallen to a tie for second place. Cameron Young held the lead, but Scheffler put himself somewhat within reach for a third Green Jacket on Sunday.

However, his rude response to a reporter's question after his third round seemed to raise eyebrows, as many people criticized the two-time Masters winner over it.

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Scottie Scheffler at Third Round of The Masters 2026

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"Scottie, that was a 65 today. What did it feel like it could've or should've been?" a reporter asked him.

"That's just a terrible question. Next question," Scheffler said, adding, "awful."

He then laughed it off, before the next question, but this particular response caught attention, with the clip circulating on social media.

Many individuals reacted to Scheffler on an X clip, with the original poster indicating they weren't sure if Scheffler was serious or joking with his reply to that reporter.

"He literally told Amanda he left 2-3 out there. Not a bad question," a commenter wrote.

Another said: "He can be such a big baby. Just say I Def left a few out there and move on."

Others wrote: "Didn’t see Scottie turning into a doucher," and "He can be such a d***…charisma of a peanut."

"He was not joking. He shot 65 at Augusta. It’s a dumb question. Sure he might could have made an another putt or two but again HE SHOT 65," a commenter explained in defense of Scheffler.

"After he just said in a TV interview that he had left a few out there on the back 9. D***ish," someone wrote.

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Following his third round, he appeared in a CBS Sports interview, saying he felt he "did a lot of good" things on the back nine on Saturday, but he didn't feel he "got the reward" he was hoping for.

"I feel like I left a few shots out there, but overall it was a good day. We'll see what happens this afternoon," he said, adding, "I don't feel like I'm out of the tournament, so it's good to put myself back in position."

He's certainly not out of the tournament by any stretch of the imagination. Scheffler still has a legitimate shot at claiming a third Green Jacket, but it's clear several golfers have felt frustrations at Augusta National.

Others included Robert MacIntyre, who flipped off one particular hole during his first several rounds, and Bryson DeChambeau, who also seemed to experience some rough on the course. Both golfers missed the cut, giving them the weekend off, while Scheffler will continue vying for another win.

For more about The Masters and golf, visit Newsweek Sports.

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