Meet Phil Kenyon, the man behind Scottie Scheffler’s incredible putting turnaround

Phil Kenyon was as surprised as anyone to see the text come through. A renowned European putting coach, he is used to players reaching out to have him look at their putting, but Scheffler was never going to be one of them. For 27 years, the only coach he ever had was Randy Smith. Kenyon and Scheffler had only exchanged hellos a few times. They didn’t really know each other. But Scheffler knew Kenyon’s reputation, and he knew he had exhausted all his internal options. So Scheffler reached out, asking for help.

Within three days, Kenyon was in Dallas working with Scheffler. By the time the Ryder Cup came around, Kenyon’s teachings were taking hold. A year later, the partnership between Scheffler and Kenyon looks like one of the most consequential in recent memory. Scheffler’s putting drastically improved under Kenyon’s tutelage. He went from one of the best players in the world to the unquestioned dominant force in golf, winning seven times in 2024, including THE PLAYERS Championship, the Masters and the Olympics.

Kenyon is quick to deflect praise; the understated Englishman prefers to lurk in the background. His pupils feel differently, happy to see Kenyon’s spotlight grow, as it will at The Royal Montreal Golf Club this week. Four Kenyon clients – all Americans – are playing in the Presidents Cup. Along with Scheffler, Kenyon works with Max Homa, Keegan Bradley and Russell Henley. He has seven clients in the world’s top 40.