NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler has made significant improvements in his putting, and paired with the rest of his exceptional game, he cruised to victory on Sunday. He finished with a 4-under 68, securing a three-shot win in the Hero World Challenge.
Scheffler, who had finished as a runner-up in the Bahamas in the last two years, played a bogey-free round at Albany and never allowed anyone to get closer than two shots on the back nine as he claimed his fifth victory worldwide this year.
The Hero World Challenge, although an unofficial event, provides its 20-man field with world ranking points, and Scheffler has reinforced his position as the top-ranked player.
Tournament host Tiger Woods, playing for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery, had a decent week, finishing 18th after completing 72 holes for just the third time in the last two years. Woods, who had played six tournaments following his recovery from a car crash in February 2021, expressed his excitement at piecing together rounds again.
Sepp Straka secured second place with a late surge, carding a 64, while Justin Thomas finished alone in third after posting a 67. Scheffler topped the PGA Tour in almost every significant statistical category except putting. Seeking help from putting coach Phil Kenyon, he has started to see immediate results.
Reflecting on his performance, Scheffler expressed his contentment with his solid play throughout the tournament and the rewards of his hard work. His excellent play was underlined by three late birdies from Straka, Thomas, and Jordan Spieth, who all posed a threat at different points. However, Scheffler responded with birdies at crucial times to keep them at bay.
The holiday event had its fair share of drama, with Collin Morikawa receiving a two-shot penalty before teeing off on Sunday due to a rules violation. Morikawa finished seventh with a score of 68.
Despite not being in contention after each round, Woods remained optimistic about his future prospects in the sport and expressed his desire to play one tournament a month in 2024. He acknowledged feeling a bit sore but believed that playing once a month would allow him to recover adequately and potentially find a rhythm.
