23 July 2023 , 14:19
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Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa and Adam Scott have all complained about the distraction of the mega-size televisions around Royal Liverpool putting them off at this week's Open Championship.
Conditions at Hoylake this week have proven tough, even for the world's best, with the rain falling and wind swirling. It appears it is not just the weather conditions that are putting off some of the players in the field though, including world No. 1 Scheffler.
The American star has endured a somewhat underwhelming week by his recent high standards, joking that he would need a 'hurricane' to hit Hoylake on Sunday to have any chance of catching leader Brian Harman.
On Saturday, Scheffler shot a third round one-over-par 72, to leave him at four-over for the week, and well off the pace to compete on championship Sunday.
The world No. 1 carded four birdies during his third round, but was left distracted just before holing his first at the par five fifth. Speaking afterwards, Scheffler admitted he was caught off guard by the commentary from one of the on-course TV's.
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"Yeah, that was strange. I was standing over my shot and they had the TV going full volume over there and it was commentating my shot," the former Masters champion revealed. "So I heard my name in the distance and I was like, all right, I've got to back off. I've never heard a distraction like that before.
Scottie Scheffler was distracted by the on-course TV's (Getty Images)"Usually something that loud it's music or something. Hopefully they turn that down as the leaders get back there. It was very -- I've never been so distracted by something like that before." And the American was not the only one caught off-guard, with Scott and Homa also being put off by the blaring commentary.
The latter was accompanied by arguably the biggest crowd of the day during his third round, after playing alongside Rory McIlroy. Despite the huge crowd presence though, the American star could not help but notice the TV commentary discussing his own shot.
"You can hear the commentators on the broadcast from the big TV," Homa said. "And I was over the ball and one of them said, 'this is too much club.' I did an absolutely awful job of not backing off."