NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler made a triumphant return after a two-month break, claiming victory at the Hero World Challenge on Sunday with an impressive 9-under 63. This score tied the tournament record at Albany Golf Club, allowing him to win by a comfortable six shots.
Having spent the entire year ranked No. 1 in the world—an achievement not seen since Tiger Woods in 2009—Scheffler notched his ninth victory in 21 starts. This list of wins includes a second Masters title, an Olympic gold medal, and the FedEx Cup.
Entering the final round one shot behind Justin Thomas, Scheffler quickly took the lead on the par-5 third hole. His advantage widened after sinking a remarkable 50-foot birdie putt on the fourth hole, and he maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the round.
Tom Kim, however, attempted to keep pace but faltered when he missed a 19-inch par putt on the par-5 11th hole. Although he redeemed himself with a birdie on the final hole for a 68, he ended up in second place. Thomas, whose chances evaporated after a bogey on the 18th, finished third with a score of 71 after hitting into the water.
Scheffler concluded the tournament with a score of 25-under 263, matching the previous record set by Bubba Watson in 2015. His six-shot margin of victory is the largest recorded in the nine years of this holiday tournament hosted by Woods in the Bahamas.
Previously, Jordan Spieth held the tournament records for both the lowest score over 72 holes (262) and the largest margin of victory (10 shots) when it was conducted at Isleworth in 2014.
“Very satisfying,” Scheffler remarked after his win. “I executed a lot of good shots today on the course. It feels great to take some time off and then return to play such solid golf.”
In an effort to enhance his game, Scheffler introduced a new “claw” putting grip at the Hero World Challenge. He effectively utilized this technique for putts from approximately 15 feet and in, ranking third in putting stats among a competitive 20-man field.
“He really doesn’t do anything wrong,” Tiger Woods commented during the final round coverage. He noted how Scheffler consistently minimizes mistakes during tournaments, exemplified by his performance at Albany where he recorded only two bogeys over the entire 72 holes.
Thomas, seeking his first victory since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, began his final round decently but quickly lost momentum after dropping two early shots on par 3s and encountering difficulty with chips, particularly on the par-5 ninth which affected his chances to keep up with Scheffler.
Even with a three-shot lead with three holes remaining, Scheffler made a rare misstep when he found a sandy area off the tee but managed to recover well, making a clean contact shot from the sand to set up a birdie opportunity, while Thomas struggled and bogeyed the hole.
Soon, Scheffler will team up with Rory McIlroy for a much-anticipated made-for-TV match against LIV Golf competitors Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas on December 17.
For his victory, Scheffler took home a $1 million prize, which represents the smallest payout he has received for a win this year, aside from the Olympics where gold medalists were awarded $37,500.
Scheffler has now joined Viktor Hovland as the only back-to-back winners at Albany, while Woods enjoyed a record five victories when the event was held at Sherwood Country Club.
Kim, a Dallas resident and a frequent practice partner of Scheffler before the latter’s wife gave birth, acknowledged Scheffler’s competitive nature. “It’s impressive how he consistently performs even under different conditions. He always seeks to improve, and it’s inspiring to witness,” Kim said.
In the past four decades, Scheffler’s winning rate stands at an impressive 43%, ranking third behind Woods, who had nine wins in 19 starts in 2006, and ten wins in 22 starts in 2002.
Looking forward, Scheffler stated, “I plan to continue refining my skills during the offseason and prepare for the upcoming season.”
