Scheffler arrives at PGA as unsung No. 1

TULSA, Okla. — Scottie Scheffler has earned the right to strut onto the first tee at Southern Hills and puff out his chest, an unintended yet unmistakable consequence of winning the Masters, ripping off three more victories and rising to No. 1 in the world. Except, well, ahem ... “The thing I love so much about Scottie is that he’s just a good dude,” said his childhood friend and rival Will Zalatoris, “and it tastes like vinegar coming out of my mouth considering the amount of golf we’ve played together.”

You see, Scheffler doesn’t strut so much as amble, and if he’s puffing out his chest, he’s probably out of breath. For all his success, he was able to go about business as usual during his practice round Tuesday, which tends to be a whole lot easier when most of the fans watching outside the ropes still don’t recognize his easy gait and charming smile.

“Tiger’s here,” Scheffler quipped, “so nobody really remembers that I’m here, so it’s all good.”

That’s quintessential Scottie: Rather than an abundance of arrogance, he offers an overwhelming measure of modesty.

After spending most of the past two years contending week to week, the 25-year-old broke through in February in Phoenix and never slowed down. Scheffler won a few weeks later at Bay Hill, defeated Kevin Kisner in the finals of the Match Play, then conquered his nerves to triumph at Augusta — despite a cringe-inducing four-putt on the 72nd hole.

There is no hotter player in the world heading into this week’s PGA Championship.