Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
While the world focused on Tiger Woods, Scheffler dominated at the Hero World Challenge to win in the Bahamas.
Scottie Scheffler is a winner once again on the PGA Tour. He claimed his third victory in 2023 at the Hero World Challenge Sunday. While most people were zoned in on Tiger Woods’ return, Scheffler put together quite the 72 holes of golf.
After coming up short the last couple of years in this event, the former Texas Longhorn finished at 20-under to defeat runner-up Sepp Straka by three shots.
He carded a final round 4-under 68 to secure his first win since March when he took home The Players Championship.
“I’m very proud of how I played today. Ted and I did a good job out there staying patient, kept the ball in play, gave myself a lot of looks,” Scheffler said. “I didn’t feel like I gave the rest of the field much — I didn’t make any bogeys, so there wasn’t a ton of mistakes for them to use as momentum. It was more of a ‘make them come and catch me kind of day.’”
The World No. 1 looked like himself this week in the Bahamas. After battling putting issues most of the season, his flat stick finally cooperated.
“I’m very pleased with how I putted— I feel like I rolled it solid. It’s nice to see some early results with the stuff that Phil [Kenyon] and I have been working on.”
He finished No. 6 in strokes gained putting this week, making two eagles, 23 birdies, 40 pars and only seven bogeys.
The former Masters champion has been eying a win at the Hero World Challenge for the last couple years. Unfortunately for him, Viktor Hovland captured the title in back-to-back years. However, this year, Scheffler was the one receiving the awesome-looking Tiger trophy from one of his all-time favorite players.
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images,
“It was cool for me two years ago just to get into this tournament,” Scheffler said. “I had seen the Hero World Challenge pretty much my entire life, and it seemed like such a fun time, only 20 guys, 20 of the best players in the world, coming down to play Tiger’s event,”
Like most players this week, Scheffler was glad to see Woods playing in a tournament again. For Scottie though, a guy who wears Tiger Woods clothing and uses his irons, it had to be even more memorable.
“It was very special this year having him back out on the course. Seeing him complete four rounds was so cool,” he said. “It was fun getting in the lunchroom today and seeing him teeing off on the first hole, seeing the red and black walking down the fairways. As players, we’re excited to see him back. Hopefully, we’ll get to see more of him.”
“We’re appreciative of all he’s done for the game and all he’s doing for us players now off the course with all the stuff going on with our Tour. We’re very appreciative of the work that he’s putting in for the betterment of the PGA TOUR.”
Scheffler will have just a few weeks until his 2024 season starts in January at The Sentry. This win is a big momentum booster for the 27-year-old as he’ll look to build off his seventh PGA Tour victory.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.
