Scottie Scheffler ends dominant year with Hero World Challenge success

There was still strong performances along the way, notably with victory at the 2023 Hero World Challenge, which helped maintain his position despite his problems on the green. That was finally addressed before the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational, when Scheffler made the exact change McIlroy had suggested live on CBS Sports, with him opting for a TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter. Scheffler won the event and has barely looked back since, dominating men’s golf with a string of impressive victories throughout the rest of the year to cement his position at the top of the world rankings, even with the scintillating form of Xander Schauffele, who won two of 2024’s Majors.

Another Scottie Scheffler procession. The world No 1’s year ended in fitting fashion, with a five-shot lead on the 18^th tee at the Hero World Challenge. Scheffler cantered to a ninth victory of 2024, with that statistic not even the most remarkable element of recent months after the 28-year-old was arrested immediately before he was due to begin his US PGA Championship.

With all matters pieced together, we are undoubtedly living in the times of Scottie Scheffler. He is the Masters champion, an Olympic gold medalist and heading for an 82^nd consecutive week at the summit of the world rankings. Scheffler will remain there for some time yet; he has established himself among the greatest iron players in the history of this game.

Success at Albany came by half a dozen. Scheffler signed off in style, his approach to the 18^th from 172 yards setting up a simple birdie. It really is not supposed to be this easy. A 63 ensured a 25-under par total and back-to-back Hero successes. Scheffler’s highest round of the week was 69. Among those to laud Scheffler was Tiger Woods, on hand as the tournament host. Scheffler’s current domination of golf is Woods-esque.

“It has been a fun year,” said Scheffler with more than a hint of understatement. “I have only reflected a little bit but it has been pretty surreal. I don’t play for legacy and that kind of stuff, I just love competing. I don’t think about records, achievements, I just come out here and try to get the best out of myself. Golf is a pretty difficult game.

“I do my best to stay in the present. I am very grateful for the wins but when I go home, I am looking forward to doing things that don’t involve golf.”

Justin Thomas was denied his first win in more than two years. A tugged drive into water at the last even denied Thomas, the 54-hole leader, second place. Tom Kim instead finished as the distant runner-up to Scheffler. “I feel very, very close,” said Thomas. “I just need to sharpen some things up. I need to get the scoring clubs a little bit sharper and better. I feel like my mid irons and iron game is close to where I want it, but if I can just get those wedges back where I feel like they should be, things will be good.”

Keegan Bradley supplied further evidence he may well qualify for his own US Ryder Cup team by finishing fifth. Ludvig Åberg, fit again, took sixth, one place ahead of Robert MacIntyre.