Scheffler battled his way to a 1-over 71 at the U.S. Open on Friday, a slight improvement on his first-round 73 but still not the type of performance that’s made him the game’s dominant player the past three years. He has 36 more holes to try to unleash the form that produced wins in three of his last four tournaments.

Scottie Scheffler doesn’t go off-script. Those 15-20 seconds before he approaches the ball are always the same. He fiddles with his grip, until the club settles properly into the grooves of his hands.