It’s not every day that the Dark Side shows up on a golf course, but Saturday at The American Express tournament in La Quinta, and for Scottie Scheffler, things took a turn for the surreal.
Darth Vader Steals the Spotlight on the Fairways
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer and reigning titan of consistency, was laser-focused as usual, grinding out a composed 4-under 68 to climb into a tie for second place heading into the final round. But even the most elite athletes can’t completely ignore it when Darth Vader himself is stalking them through the fairways.
Amid the palm trees and sun-drenched greens of the desert, a cloaked figure donning the unmistakable black mask of one of cinema’s most infamous villains trailed Scheffler from hole to hole, becoming an unexpected sideshow that had social media buzzing. It wasn’t long before fans watching from home zeroed in on the galactic intruder. Memes flew. Theories surfaced. Was Vader cursing Scheffler’s round? Was he just a confused Star Wars fan who wandered into the wrong galaxy? One viewer quipped, “He’s obviously lost,” while another blamed the two bogies Scheffler carded on the pressure of being under Vader’s watchful, mechanical gaze.
Scottie Scheffler Stays Locked In Despite Bizarre Distraction
Scheffler, however, didn’t flinch. No mid-swing Force choke, no Jedi mind tricks, just solid golf. Despite the social media swirl and whispers of a “Vader curse,” Scheffler played steady, carding two bogies and remaining within striking distance at just one shot back of the lead. His composure under oddball circumstances only reinforced his status as a calm, battle-tested competitor.
Meanwhile, Si Woo Kim quietly surged into first place with a 6-under 66, going about his business with precision and quiet confidence. He heads into Sunday atop the leaderboard, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
High Schooler Blades Brown Shocks the Field
But the real twist in this tale may be 18-year-old Blades Brown, who graduated high school just two weeks ago. Brown stole the spotlight in his own right with a showstopping finish: three consecutive birdies, including a 25-footer on the island-green 17th and a bomb from 45 feet on the final hole. He matched Scheffler’s 68 and now shares second place with the World No. 1.
So the final day promises more than just a title fight; it’s a showdown featuring a world-class veteran, a quiet leader, and a teenage breakout star. And somewhere, under a black cape and mask, one fan may still be watching, perhaps hoping his presence shapes the galaxy, or at least the final round.
