Scottie Scheffler is already eight shots off the lead after his first round of the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
His fellow American Wyndham Clark went six-under through his first 16 holes, with play then suspended by darkness with 50 players unable to finish.
In contrast, the world number one is down in a tie for 49th place following his first round, where he carded a two-over 72.
Scheffler argued with Randy Smith after his opening round at Shinnecock Hills, where he had been left frustrated by his shortcomings on day one.
His chances of a successful recovery in Long Island have now been discussed by Rex Hoggard, who has a bigger concern for Scheffler than the eight-shot deficit.
Rex Hoggard suggests if Scottie Scheffler can still win the US Open
Speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav, he said: “It’s not the eight shots that I’m interested in.
“It’s the number of players in between him and the lead that interests me more at this point.
“But we’re not in one fourth of the way to the ending yet, so I don’t think my level of concern would allow me to say no, I think Scottie Scheffler is out of this.
“I still think that he can flip a switch, whatever it is, he and Randy Smith are working on.
“We have seen it in the past that he has gone to the range, had these animated sessions, and the next morning suddenly he starts looking like Scottie Scheffler.
“Now, to be fair, we have not seen that much this season.
“However, we are still talking about fractions.
“It’s not as though he dropped from first in a specific category to 71st in that category.
“It’s minimal what we have seen.
“And I still believe that there is a switch to be flipped when it comes to Scottie Scheffler.”
How has Scottie Scheffler performed on the PGA Tour in 2026?
It’s been an intriguing season for Scheffler to say the least, with the American starting out by winning his very first tournament.
He emerged victorious at The American Express for his 20th career win on the PGA Tour, but remarkably has yet to add to that title since then.
However, the world number one has been one of the standout players thanks to his stunning results, which include three runner-up finishes.
He’s made 12/12 cuts, and has also recorded two third place finishes, seven top 5s, seven top 10s and 12 top 25s.
Hugely impressively, Scheffler’s worst result is a T24 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Moreover, he leads the PGA Tour for both SG: Total and SG: Tee-to-Green in 2026, all of which strongly suggests he can indeed recover to finish well at Shinnecock.
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