The Shark. The Bear. The Hawk. Tiger. Some of the fiercest predators on planet earth are also the nicknames of golf’s great champions: Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and of course Tiger Woods. Surprisingly, none of these apex predators can match nature’s most efficient killer: The Dragonfly. What the dragonfly lacks in size, it makes up for in efficiency—with an astounding hunting success rate of 95%. Put simply, if you are in the dragonfly’s sights, you are lunch. Perhaps golf historians have been holding back, waiting for the perfect candidate. Well, wait no more. Meet Scottie Scheffler: The Dragonfly.
With nearly 360-degree vision and virtually no blind spots, they can predict their prey's path, intercept them mid-air and paralyze them with their vice-like grip. If that’s not terrifying enough, these aerial assassins employ motion camouflage—moving silently and imperceptibly until it’s too late. In the rare moments where they do misjudge an attack, their four wings adjust independently, so they can course correct in milliseconds. This is why they are nature’s deadliest hunters.
In his ascent to world number one, Scheffler shows the same traits. He appears to have no blind spots and if you are in his sights, he will track you down and finish you off with the calmness of an elderly couple on a Sunday stroll. By Sunday afternoon, competitors do not seem to know what hit them, stunned as the golf course bends to his will. On the uncommon occasion he falters, he immediately recovers, leading the tour in bounce-back percentage. Just as the dragonfly can hover, fly backwards, forwards and upside-down, Scheffler possesses all of the maneuvers, every shot in the bag. Each drive, chip, and putt a mesmerizing display as he strategically glides to yet another victory.
Sure, the dragonfly may not have mesmerizing stripes, massive paws, talons, or razor-sharp teeth. It is unassuming, workmanlike—and some may even say boring. The same critique has followed Scheffer, who seems to only be concerned with two things: winning and family. Since when is efficiency boring? Since when is winning mundane?
From here forward, Scottie joins the ranks of golf’s great on-course predators and has a terrifying nickname of his own. All hail Scottie “Dragonfly” Scheffler.