Scottie Scheffler made historical past on Sunday as he grew to become the primary participant within the 50-year historical past of The Gamers Championship to retain the trophy.
The 27-year-old’s victory by one shot from Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark and Xander Schaufele got here regardless of him being hampered by a neck harm which wanted therapy through the second spherical.
Even with out that, it was a formidable efficiency from world No 1 Scheffler as he adopted up victory on the Arnold Palmer Invitational the earlier week with one other triumph in golf’s unofficial fifth main.
Here’s what Sky Sports activities Golf’s specialists made from Scheffler’s displaying at TPC Sawgrass, and what’s in retailer for him for the remainder of 2024…
McGinley: He is obtained a coronary heart on fireplace
Following his victory at The Gamers Championship being confirmed when Clark noticed his putt on the 18th to drive a play-off horseshoe out of the opening, Scheffler spoke about how he was decided to play via the ache barrier after struggling a neck harm.
That persistence was rewarded by Scheffler carding rounds of 69, 68 and 64 for a 20 under-par complete, having opened the match with a 67, and former Staff Europe Ryder Cup participant and captain Paul McGinley hailed the fortitude he confirmed.
“The fact he battled against an injury which restricted him quite a lot and still shot the scores he did to still remain somewhere in the rear-view mirror of the leaders to give himself that opportunity, a lot of credit to him,” McGinley mentioned.
“We talked at the start of the week about his quiet, competitive spirit which you don’t really appreciate because he’s not ‘ra-ra’ and fist-pumping like you would normally associate with someone who has got a competitive spirit.
“He is obtained a coronary heart on fireplace. He loves the grind of golf, he loves the relentlessness of golf, he loves the battle of golf, and, boy, can he play it properly.
“We talked at the start of the week, one of the keys to winning was not just going forward, it was the ability when out of position to get it up and down. The lowest bogey count of the week at four underpinned everything he did in this tournament.”
Beem: Not even Tiger was as relaxed when enjoying properly
There have naturally been comparisons between Scheffler and Tiger Woods, with the present world No 1 once more talking about his admiration for the 15-time main champion in his post-tournament press convention.
Whereas Scheffler acknowledged he nonetheless has a protracted strategy to go earlier than he will get near matching Woods’ achievements, former PGA Championship winner Wealthy Beem noticed one space the place he believes there’s a distinction.
“I don’t know how you can go week in, week out and play with such little fanfare, and yet produce the quality swings, quality putts and quality play time and time again,” Beem mentioned.
“Not even Tiger Woods was ever relaxed when he played this well. Scottie looks like he almost falls out of bed, ‘here’s a 65, thank you very much’, and it’s not that big a deal to him.
“He is simply considered one of these most dynamic gamers that is aware of precisely what he is doing, how he will go and do it, and is not bothered with it.
“The funny thing is, when was the last time you heard him talk to his golf ball? Why should he – it’s going where he knows it should!”
‘Get able to see his identify each week!’
Scheffler’s total efficiency at TPC Sawgrass noticed him beat one of the best rating by a defending champion by 10 strokes, and essentially the most consecutive holes with no bogey to win at 31.
A part of that success was right down to the development he has made in his placing, with Beem believing that may result in him being on the high finish of leaderboards on a much more common foundation.
“When you look at Scottie Scheffler, we talk about the ball striking, how good it is, the iron play, and we always single out the putting being his weakness, but we don’t put enough emphasis on how good he is around the greens,” Beem mentioned.
“Now that he feels comfortable with that putter and looks phenomenal, I think he’s going to get a little bit better. I don’t think he’s going to get better by leaps and bounds, but his off weeks…we’re not going to see anymore.
“I believe we’ll see somebody who’s constant much more on a weekly foundation. You thought he was a top-five machine beforehand? Get able to see his identify each single week.”
Davies: Grand Slam of majors on the playing cards?
Changing into the primary participant to win The Gamers the week after triumphing in one other PGA Event since 2001 and the primary since 2007 to defend any PGA Tour title the week after a victory – each of which had been final accomplished by Woods – has come at simply the fitting time for Scheffler.
The Masters, which he gained in 2022, is simply across the nook, and four-time girls’s main champion Dame Laura Davies doesn’t assume Scheffler finishing a clear sweep of all 4 males’s titles this 12 months is past the realms of risk.
“He’s on a different level and as soon as he started holing those putts at Bay Hill [when winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational] the rest of the field thought ‘Oh, we’re in a bit of trouble here’ because they know, statistically, every category you want to say he’s No 1,” Davies mentioned.
“The one thing that was letting him down was putting – he putted so well and looked so relaxed over his putts.
“The others have gotten their palms full now and, going ahead, I do not assume it is a lengthy shot to say he is going win at the very least two of the majors. Perhaps three, perhaps even speaking Grand Slam right here – I actually assume it is doable.”
What’s subsequent?
The PGA Tour season stays in Florida for the Valspar Championship, with early motion reside on Thursday from 11.30am on Sky Sports activities Golf and full protection starting at 6pm. The lads’s main season begins with The Masters from April 11-14, additionally solely reside. Stream the PGA Tour and extra with NOW.