Team golf can bring out the worst in people. Or, in the case of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, it can bring out the best.
U.S. star Scheffler was playing the International team’s Nico Echavarria in singles at the Presidents Cup on Sunday when one spectator decided to ignore etiquette.
What that fan didn’t account for was Scheffler going to bat for his opponent.
It all went down on the par-4 14th. Scheffler was 3 up and cruising to a point for the Americans. Echavarria stepped up to the tee for his first shot, but a fan yelled during his backswing, breaking his concentration.
“Go Scottie!”
Echavarria’s shot went right of the fairway as his driver fell to the ground – the Presidents Cup rookie looking at the gallery in disbelief.
While Echavarria was frozen for a moment in his swing stance, Scheffler came over to him and yelled toward the crowd, “Hey! There is no place for that!”
Echavarria had to play his second shot where it lay, but if you think Scheffler just admonished the fan and moved on, think again.
A couple shots later, Scheffler would concede a 32-footer to tie the hole with Echavarria.
“I think there’s no real place for that in our game,” Scheffler said of the incident. “I think we just leave it at that.”
A classy move from Scottie Scheffler.
— PGA Tour (@PGATour) September 27, 2026
After a fell yelled in Nico's swing, Scottie conceded a 32-footer to tie the hole. pic.twitter.com/CL6w1fl52s
“What happened on 14 with that fan was very unfortunate, but [Scheffler] gave me a [long putt] for par, which shows the character of the No. 1 in the world,” Echavarria said. “He’s just different. He’s a good person overall. Even how good he is, he’s a truly amazing guy.”
Echavarria got redemption on the crowd before the match ended when he holed a 64-foot chip-in on the 16th, extending the match one more hole. The Colombian promptly shushed the crowd.
Scheffler would go on to win, 2 up, on the 17th.
NICO ECHAVARRIA IS NOT DONE YET! A ridiculous chip-in to stay alive! 🤫
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 27, 2026
📺 Presidents Cup on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/NJPI467FAr
