Scottie Scheffler Dominates Hero World Challenge with Record-Tying Performance
NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler is back, and he’s proving once again why he’s the best in the world. After a two-month break, Scheffler returned to the golf course and delivered a masterclass at the Hero World Challenge on Sunday. With a stunning 9-under 63 in the final round, he tied the tournament record at Albany Golf Club and cruised to a six-shot victory. Talk about making a statement!
Let’s put this into perspective: Scheffler is the first player since Tiger Woods in 2009 to spend an entire calendar year as the No. 1 player in the world. That’s no small feat. And this win? It’s his ninth in just 21 starts this year. Oh, and let’s not forget that his 2024 resume already includes a second Masters title, an Olympic gold medal, and the FedEx Cup. If there’s a Mount Rushmore of golf seasons, Scheffler’s 2024 campaign is carving its place.
How It All Went Down
Scheffler started the final round one shot behind Justin Thomas, but it didn’t take long for him to seize control. A birdie on the par-5 third hole gave him the lead, and a jaw-dropping 50-foot birdie putt on No. 4 ensured he wouldn’t be looking back. From there, it was vintage Scheffler: calm, calculated, and utterly dominant.
Meanwhile, Tom Kim tried to keep pace but stumbled with a missed 19-inch par putt on the par-5 11th. He finished strong with a birdie on the final hole for a 68, securing second place. As for Thomas, his hopes unraveled on the 18th when he drove into the water and carded a bogey, finishing with a 71 and taking third place.
By the end of the day, Scheffler’s 25-under 263 tied the tournament record set by Bubba Watson in 2015. His six-shot margin of victory? The largest in the nine years that Tiger Woods’ holiday tournament has been held in the Bahamas. Dominance, thy name is Scottie Scheffler.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Scheffler’s 25-under 263 tied the tournament record at Albany Golf Club.
- He made only two bogeys over 72 holes. Yes, you read that right—two.
- His winning rate of 43% worldwide this year is third-best in the past 40 years, trailing only Tiger Woods’ legendary 2002 and 2006 seasons.
And let’s not forget the $1 million prize he pocketed for this win. Sure, it’s his smallest paycheck of the year for a victory, but it’s still a nice cherry on top of an already incredible season.
What’s Next for Scheffler?
Even after a year like this, Scheffler isn’t resting on his laurels. He debuted a new “claw” putting grip at the Hero World Challenge, using it for putts from 15 feet and in. The result? He finished third in the key putting statistic against a stacked 20-man field. It’s just another example of how he’s constantly looking to improve.
“Very satisfying,” Scheffler said after his win. “I did a lot of good stuff today on the course. It feels nice to take a break and come back and continue to play some really solid golf.”
Next up, Scheffler will team up with Rory McIlroy in a made-for-TV match at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas on Dec. 17. They’ll face off against LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. If Scheffler’s current form is any indication, that’s going to be must-watch TV.
What the Greats Are Saying
Even Tiger Woods, the tournament host and a man who knows a thing or two about dominance, couldn’t help but marvel at Scheffler’s performance. “He really doesn’t do anything wrong,” Woods said during the NBC broadcast. What stood out to Woods was how few mistakes Scheffler makes, a hallmark of his game that was on full display at Albany.
Tom Kim, who lives in Dallas and used to play with Scheffler regularly, also had high praise. “I think the biggest thing that I see is that he’s always trying to get better,” Kim said. “Despite winning nine times this year, he’s always finding little ways, and I think it’s really, really cool to see.”
Looking Ahead
So, what’s next for the world’s top golfer? “Continue to work on the stuff in the offseason and get ready for next season,” Scheffler said. If this year is any indication, the rest of the golf world better be ready, too.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
