Scottie Scheffler snaps at Masters reporter's 'terrible question' after big third round

The two-time green jacket winner was not pleased with the line of questioning following his 7-under 65 performance.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting Scottie Scheffler's golf swing and competitive demeanor, with sharp, overlapping planes of green, blue, and gold representing the Augusta National course.Scheffler's testy exchange with a reporter highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny that top golfers face at major tournaments.Augusta Today

Scottie Scheffler, the two-time Masters champion, fired a 7-under 65 in the third round to put himself within four shots of the leaders, Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young. However, Scheffler took issue with a reporter's question about whether he felt his round 'could have or should have been' even better, calling it a 'terrible question' before laughing it off.

Why it matters

Scheffler's testy exchange with the reporter highlights the high-pressure environment of major golf tournaments, where players can be sensitive to perceived criticism of their performance, even after a strong round. As one of the top contenders at the Masters, Scheffler's reaction could be seen as a sign of his competitive drive and desire to win another green jacket.

The details

After his impressive 7-under 65 in the third round, Scheffler was asked by reporter Jason Sobel of SiriusXM and CBS Sports what he felt the round 'could have or should have been.' Scheffler quickly responded, 'That's just a terrible question. Next question. Awful,' before laughing it off. Scheffler later apologized, saying the question 'wasn't that bad.' In a subsequent TV interview, Scheffler acknowledged that he 'left a few shots out there' on the back nine.

  • Scheffler fired a 7-under 65 in the third round of the 2026 Masters on April 11, 2026.
  • Scheffler's testy exchange with the reporter occurred immediately after his third round performance.

The players

Scottie Scheffler

A 29-year-old American professional golfer who has won two Masters tournaments and is currently in contention for a third green jacket.

Jason Sobel

A reporter for SiriusXM and CBS Sports who asked Scheffler the question that prompted his negative reaction.

Rory McIlroy

A professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is currently tied for the lead at the 2026 Masters.

Cameron Young

An American professional golfer who is also tied for the lead at the 2026 Masters.

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What they’re saying

“That's just a terrible question. Next question. Awful”

— Scottie Scheffler, Professional Golfer

“We've always gotten along well and he answered my next question a minute later, so... no.”

— Jason Sobel, Reporter

“it wasn't maybe that bad, but it definitely could have been lower”

— Scottie Scheffler, Professional Golfer

“I felt like I left a few shots out there”

— Scottie Scheffler, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Scheffler will tee off with Haotong Li at 1:52 p.m. ET on Sunday, while the final pairing of Rory McIlroy and Cameron Young will go off at 2:25 p.m. ET. Scheffler will look to overcome his four-shot deficit and capture his third career Masters title.

The takeaway

Scottie Scheffler's testy exchange with the reporter highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny that top golfers face at major tournaments like the Masters. Despite his strong performance, Scheffler was sensitive to any perceived criticism of his play, underscoring the high stakes and competitive drive that define the sport's elite level.