Are you even stunned at this level? For the ninth time in 2024, Scottie Scheffler has discovered his method into the winner’s circle as he claimed the 2024 Hero World Problem by 5 strokes over Tom Kim. Firing a final-round bogey-free 63, Scheffler posted the bottom complete on Sunday to usurp 54-hole chief Justin Thomas and attain 25 below for the match.
With the win, Scheffler has now efficiently defended titles at tournaments such because the WM Phoenix Open, Gamers Championship and Hero World Problem all through his profession. He provides Albany GC to an inventory of golf programs — that additionally contains Augusta Nationwide and Bay Hill Membership & Lodge — the place he has gained a number of instances.
Scheffler’s 9 victories in 2024 ties him with Tiger Woods (2000) and Vijay Singh (2004) for essentially the most in a single season since 1950, though the Hero World Problem and the Olympics don’t technically qualify as official PGA Tour occasions. In complete, the world No. 1 gained at a clip of 42.9% in his 21 tournaments performed in 2024.
“It was very satisfying,” Scheffler stated. “I did a variety of great things as we speak on the course. It was a strong spherical of golf. I received off to a great begin. It feels good to take a little bit break and are available again and proceed to play some actually strong golf, and I’m more than happy with the outcomes this week.”
Stalling on Transferring Day ever so barely, Scheffler got here into Sunday one off the 54-hole tempo set by Thomas. The birdie barrage got here early and infrequently as Scheffler wielded his new noticed placing grip to perfection throughout the opening stretch, tacking on three birdies in his first 4 holes and seizing the outright lead.
By the point Scheffler made the flip, he discovered himself with a two-stroke benefit and rapidly made it three with one other prolonged birdie connection on No. 10. Kick-in birdies on Nos. 13-14 sustained his edge over Thomas, who discovered his stride on the again 9 after handing over even par.
Thomas stayed inside shouting distance due to a birdie on the par-5 fifteenth, however a hiccup on the next gap proved to be the ultimate nail within the coffin when coupled with Scheffler’s eighth birdie of the day. Commanding a five-stroke lead with two holes to play, the perfect participant on this planet cruised to the end line and into the winner’s circle the place he was met by match host, Tiger Woods, for the second straight 12 months.
Besting 17 of the 19 opponents within the subject by 10 strokes or extra, Scheffler as soon as once more displayed he’s in a category of his personal. Constantly enhancing on his weaknesses whereas sustaining his even-keeled nature, Scheffler reveals no indicators of slowing down anytime quickly. Grade: A+
Listed here are the grades for the remainder of the notables on the leaderboard on the 2024 Hero World Problem.
2. Tom Kim (-19): He was among the best gamers throughout the ultimate three rounds, however sadly, he was among the many worst in Spherical 1. Clawing his method again into rivalry from a gap 74, Kim sizzled on Saturday with a 62 and saved at it on Sunday. After handing over 3 below, Kim wanted three putts on the par-5 eleventh and turned a sure-fire scoring alternative right into a bogey. Regardless of an ideal run, the sluggish begin proved an excessive amount of to beat. Grade: A
3. Justin Thomas (-18): The door was open for Thomas. Matching Scheffler with a birdie on No. 1, Thomas fell behind a pair holes later and was by no means in a position to reclaim the highest spot on the leaderboard. The 15-time winner confronted scoring possibilities on Nos. 5-6, however uncharacteristically common pitch photographs left him with pars as an alternative of birdies. The identical rang true on the par-5 ninth when he duffed his second chip on the outward half. By then, Scheffler was off and working. The end represents Thomas’ fifth straight top-five end on the Hero World Problem however one other missed alternative as he searches for his first victory for the reason that 2022 PGA Championship. Grade: A-
5. Keegan Bradley (-14): Regular all through the match, Bradley discovered himself with an out of doors likelihood to wreak some havoc on Sunday. Penciling squares onto his scorecard on two par 5s on the entrance facet, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain was unable to muster collectively any momentum and fell off the tempo of Scheffler. The putter proved to be the principle offender as Bradley led the sector in ball putting on Sunday however ranked final on the greens. Grade: B+
13. Cameron Younger (-5): The previous PGA Tour Rookie of the 12 months received off to a roaring begin with a gap bogey-free 64, however that was pretty much as good as it could get. Younger misplaced practically 4 strokes on the greens on Friday, and his brief sport did not do him any favors on Saturday. By then, the injury was executed; the first-round chief was unable to parlay his early success into his first win since his Korn Ferry Tour days. His upside is simple, however his flooring stays shaky. Grade: C
T17. Wyndham Clark (E): For no matter cause, Clark simply cannot appear to determine Albany GC. In two journeys to the Bahamas, the previous U.S. Open champion has but to interrupt 70 and completed practically useless final a 12 months after beating only one man in his match debut. There weren’t many highlights on the week as he ranked exterior the highest 15 in strokes gained strategy every day and was among the many worst on the greens. Grade: F
