Seven official PGA Tour victories. Conquering the Fed Ex Cup. Total purses of $62 million US, the equivalent of $85 million Canadian. A second green jacket at the Masters Tournament in Augusta. A gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. Champagne in the Presidents Cup. And the birth of her baby boy, Bennett. There is no doubt, Scottie Scheffler is not about to forget his 2024 season.
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Through his prowess on the fairways and greens, we must not forget a significant event on his path, no pun intended! That of his violent arrest at the gates of the Valhalla golf club on the morning of the second round of the PGA Championship of America in Louisville, Kentucky.
This case of disagreement with a police officer on the road went around the world, like his photo with the orange prison uniform. It led to four charges which were subsequently dropped.
In short, Scheffler has had a hell of a year. In the good sense of the word. Except for those hours under arrest, behind bars, and until the prosecutor closed the case two weeks later…
Photo AFP
A question of chances…
To justify his seven victories and his Olympic gold medal, the big guy saw things simply. In 2024, the chances have fallen in his favor, according to him. He also warmly thanks his putter which allowed him to make the difference.
“I think I had solid performances in several tournaments. It was nice to win, said modestly the world number one who, in addition to his seven victories, added three other top 10s to his 19 outings.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
In fact, he only finished outside the top 20 twice.
“Sometimes in this sport the details are in your favor and other times they’re not,” he noted, taking as an example his overtime clash with Tom Kim at the Travelers Championship at the end of June.
He then surpassed the Korean who had made a bogey in overtime.
“Another time, it was Sam Burns who beat me in overtime with a 40-foot putt at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial on a windy day.
…and rolls
“And it can also be an important putt and a little fluke here and there,” he added. I’ve had a lot this season. I know I made some excellent putts in good times.
“I called this five-foot putt at 18e in Paris for the gold medal after having achieved several on the return during this final round, as at the Masters and the Players. I putt for victory on the last hole to win the Memorial. And there were those who allowed me to keep up the pace.”
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Scheffler is modest. Since he started winning in 2022 to settle at the top of the world golf rankings, the 28-year-old American has not changed. He kept it that simple.
It’s not his incredible 2024 season that will make him turn 180 degrees.
