Scotty Scheffler stated he had “just about had the 12 months of his life” after profitable the FedEx Cup, capping a “loopy” season on and off the golf course on the world’s No. 1 golf course.
Scheffler ended the season with a four-stroke victory on the Tour Championship, by no means relinquishing his title place over 4 days and changing into the primary participant to take action in a single 12 months since Tiger Woods in 2007. Gamers with seven or extra wins on the PGA Tour.
Scheffler, who grew to become a father for the primary time shortly after profitable the Masters for the second time in three years, was arrested earlier than the second spherical of the PGA Championship in Could and received Olympic gold in Paris.
“If you happen to can put it into phrases, then extra energy to you, as a result of I did not assume I might do it,” Scheffler instructed reporters as he mirrored on his 2024 efforts after profitable the Tour Championship. “It’s been a protracted 12 months.
“I believe I am emotionally exhausted proper now. It has been a really eventful 12 months, however it’s been actually enjoyable. You had a bizarre one at Valhalla (the PGA Championship arrest), however every little thing else All very particular.
Scheffler has been atop the FedEx Cup standings since profitable the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March and adopted that up with regular-season wins at The Gamers Championship, Masters, RBC Heritage, Memorial Championship and Vacationers Championship. .
The 28-year-old American, who earned $8 million for main the highest 10 on the Comcast Enterprise Tour into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, earned $25 million for his win on the Tour Championship, making his profession Season earnings (together with bonuses) reached a staggering $62,228,357 (£47.4 million).
“I really feel like I am steadily getting there,” Scheffler stated. “I’ve had some good begins this 12 months. I’ve acquired a few top-10s to start out, and I virtually received in Phoenix. Total, I have been taking part in fairly strong, so I do know I am shut.
“I’ve made some putts this 12 months after I actually wanted to, and that is why I am sitting right here with lots of wins as a substitute of just some. I performed effectively final 12 months, however I wasn’t capable of make it on the proper time, and this 12 months I am actually That is proper.
“I am pleased with the consequence. It is one thing I attempt to not deal with an excessive amount of, however on the finish of the day, it is an incredible feeling to have the ability to win video games and that is what we try for and to have the ability to have so many wins this 12 months, That is actually particular.
Scheffler added: “I really feel like this 12 months has been the 12 months of my life. It is loopy. I believe it at all times comes again to my religion. I believe that is what retains me grounded and retains me going. “The precise mentality. “
How Scheffler stays centered
Scheffler entered the Tour Championship with a two-shot lead and led by seven early within the last spherical earlier than chipping away on the benefit by taking part in the following six holes at 5 underneath. He recovered from the scenario in two strokes and regained management of the occasion.
“Nothing bothered him,” stated Collin Morikawa, who performed alongside Scheffler within the last three rounds at East Lake. “Whether or not I am getting nearer or he is making progress, it would not change the way in which he walks, the way in which he performs or the way in which he takes each shot.
“I believe he is loads stronger mentally than lots of people assume. It is simply wonderful what he is performed all through the season and the final three years. It has been actually cool to look at him carry out.”
Scheffler had beforehand squandered a six-shot benefit over McIlroy on the ultimate day of the 2022 Tour Championship, though his newest win was his third in a row and his eighth in 14 makes an attempt on the PGA Tour. That changed into a 54-hole victory.
“Take into consideration how good he’s when he is the man to beat each week,” former FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas stated. “I do not assume folks perceive how tough it’s to do this.
“If you’re anticipated to win, while you’re the favourite to win, when every little thing you do on the golf course, good or unhealthy, is scrutinized, and the way tough it’s to get into your individual small space. and your individual little world, really quieting the noise.
“It is simply as skillful as with the ability to hit a driver or an iron on the road within the fairway. He clearly handles that effectively. All Scottie desires to do is do his greatest and win as many tournaments as doable, He does this very effectively.
Scheffler’s key to consistency?
Scheffler has been the very best participant on this planet from tee to inexperienced, and his 2023 whole is the very best since Woods in 2006, and he added 2.456 strokes in that metric final season, virtually higher than the PGA Tour It was one shot larger than some other participant within the sport.
It was simply inconsistency on the greens that saved him from being a extra prolific winner within the second half of 2023 and early this 12 months, till a swap to a mallet putter in March added one other component to Scheffler’s sport.
“It seems like he is principally doing what he did final 12 months, simply possibly just a little extra constant,” stated former FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland. “If you play in addition to he does each week and begin pushing You are going to be laborious to beat.”
Rory McIlroy initially urged altering the putter earlier this season, with the four-time main champion impressed by Scheffler’s low-scoring scores and talent to restrict errors.
“One of many issues I’ve at all times admired about Scottie is his bogey-free pictures,” McIlroy stated. “You simply look again over the past two or three years and also you see what number of rounds he’s had at 4 underneath, no bogeys.
“It did not look spectacular in any respect, however it was so strong. He did not actually put himself out of place. If you’re not taking lots of bogeys, the course has to do one thing very particular to maintain up.”
A Tiger season for Scheffler?
Scheffler has downplayed comparisons to Woods a number of occasions this season, however his continued brilliance has led to numbers and consistency not seen for the reason that 15-time main champion’s prime.
On whether or not Scheffler’s 2024 efficiency is his greatest since Woods, former world No. 1 Adam Scott stated: “I believe it is honest. I believe all of the statistics help that. I believe The outcomes help this.
“I believe it is on par with these nice Tiger years. At this time, it is laborious for anybody to separate themselves from themselves the way in which Scottie did. I do not assume we have seen that in a very long time.”
Scheffler’s FedExCup success comes after he completed atop the Tour Championship standings for the third straight 12 months and has 13 PGA Tour wins up to now in two and a half years.
“I believe by the definition of dominance, I believe that is the place he sits,” stated Xander Schauffele, who leads the FedEx Tour Championship with two massive wins in 2024 Cup victory begins for the closest challenger.
“Since I left [on the PGA Tour]I believe Dustin [Johnson] Run away, Brooks. [Koepka] Operating, Jon [Rahm] Off to the run, Rory. [McIlroy] Obtained working. However they had been throwing punches forwards and backwards between one, two, three.
“Now it seems like Scotty has been on the high of the mountain for 2 full years.”
Woods’ dominance lasted a technology. Scheffler nonetheless has a protracted solution to go if he desires to match these efforts, however he is heading in the right direction to proceed to dominate for a lot of seasons to return.
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