Why isn’t Scottie Scheffler playing at the Houston Open? World No.1 withdraws at the last minute
Scheffler had been the favorite to win in Houston but was forced to pull out of the tournament earlier this week.
It’s been a memorable start to 2026 for Scottie Scheffler, perhaps for reasons off the course more than those on it. The world No. 1 was a late withdrawal from this week’s Houston Open due to “family reasons,” which amount to his second child being due imminently.
Scheffler had been the bookmakers’ favorite for the tournament, with Chris Gotterup, ranked 10th in the Official World Golf Ranking, now the top-ranked player in the field.
A change of plan before Augusta
The withdrawal, albeit for a hugely positive reason, disrupts Scheffler’s preparations for the 2026 Masters, which will be played between April 9 and 12. The New Jersey-born star, who now resides in Dallas, has already won at Augusta twice, in 2022 and 2024.
Scheffler had been looking for his first-ever victory at the Houston Open, having previously gone close on three occasions. The 29-year-old finished as runner-up in 2021, 2024 and 2025, missing out to the eventual winner by just one stroke in each of the last two years.
Strong start, slight dip in form
The four-time major winner began 2026 in ominous fashion, winning on his very first start of the year at The American Express in January. He followed that up with a tie for third in Phoenix and a tie for fourth at Pebble Beach, but his form has since dipped, with successive finishes outside the top 20 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.
Why isn’t Rory McIlroy playing at the 2026 Houston Open?
Rory McIlroy won’t be featuring at the Houston Open either, but that has been part of his plan all along. The Northern Irishman has opted for rest and practice in preparation for the Masters, which he finally won to complete the career Grand Slam in 2025.
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