Scottie Scheffler caps famous year with Hero World Challenge win
3 min readScottie Scheffler capped off an extraordinary year in golf by defending his title at the Hero World Challenge, securing a dominant six-shot victory at the prestigious invitational event hosted by Tiger Woods in the Bahamas. This win at the Albany Golf Club marked his ninth title of 2024, elevating his win rate to an impressive 43%. Scheffler’s remarkable season also saw him hold the world No. 1 ranking for the entire year, a feat last achieved by Tiger Woods in 2009. His achievements in 2024 include a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, a victory in the FedEx Cup, and a second Masters title, solidifying his place as one of the most dominant players in the sport.
The 28-year-old American had not competed since his victory at the Tour Championship on September 1, but he showed no signs of rust at the Hero World Challenge. After his victory, Scheffler reflected on his performance in an interview with NBC, expressing his satisfaction with the results. “It’s very satisfying,” he said. “I did a lot of good stuff today on the course, played a really solid round of golf. I got off to a good start and it feels nice to take a little break and come back and continue to play some pretty solid golf.” Scheffler was clearly pleased with his play over the week, adding that he was looking forward to spending the holidays with his family before gearing up for the next competition.
Scheffler’s win came with a bogey-free final round, where he shot a stunning nine-under par to finish at 25-under for the tournament, tying the course record at Albany. His solid play throughout the event was a testament to his consistency and skill. Tom Kim finished in second place at 19-under, while Justin Thomas, who had a one-shot lead going into the final round but has not won in over two years, took third at 18-under. Scheffler’s dominance in the final round allowed him to quickly take control, with a flurry of birdies that sealed the victory. After recording three birdies in the first four holes, Scheffler continued to build his lead with another four birdies over the final six holes, effectively putting the tournament out of reach for his competitors.
This victory also marked a special milestone for Scheffler as he became only the third player to win back-to-back Hero World Challenge titles, following in the footsteps of Tiger Woods and Viktor Hovland. It was another demonstration of his ability to rise to the occasion and maintain a high level of performance under pressure. Scheffler’s 2024 season, which also included the life-changing experience of becoming a father, has firmly established him as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Looking ahead, Scheffler’s next appearance will be in the 2024 edition of “The Match,” where he will team up with Rory McIlroy to take on LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in a highly anticipated showdown in Las Vegas. Despite the festive season, Scheffler is focused on continuing his work during the off-season to prepare for next year’s tournaments. He plans to head home to rest, celebrate Christmas with his family, and recharge for the exciting challenges ahead in the coming months.
Overall, Scheffler’s 2024 season has been one for the history books, with his nine wins, Olympic gold, FedEx Cup victory, and Masters title making him one of the sport’s most dominant players. His back-to-back Hero World Challenge titles further cement his place as a leading figure in the game, and his dedication to his craft promises more success in the future. As the year comes to a close, Scheffler’s fans and fellow players alike will be eagerly anticipating what he can accomplish in the next chapter of his career.