ATLANTA — The superlatives for Scottie Scheffler’s record-breaking PGA Tour season proceed to run dry. He made historical past at TPC Sawgrass, triumphed at Augusta Nationwide, and gained the gold medal in Paris. His 4 different Signature Occasion titles additionally add to the lore, reaffirming his standing as the very best participant on this planet.
So, on Sunday, as Scheffler continued to march to victory on the Tour Championship, Justin Thomas tried to place his season into perspective.
“I don’t even know the place to begin,” Thomas stated.
“I simply suppose how nicely he performs when he’s the man to beat each single week. I don’t suppose folks perceive how laborious that’s to do, while you’re anticipated to win, while you’re the favourite to win, when each single factor you’re doing is being checked out, good and dangerous, on the golf course, and the way laborious it’s to get in your personal little zone and personal little world and actually simply quiet the noise.”
Within the 19 occasions Scheffler has performed on this yr, he arrived because the odds-on-favorite each time. He has had the largest goal on his again week-in and week-out, however as an alternative of folding below stress, Scheffler routinely delivered. Many prime athletes argue that staying on prime of the mountain is harder than climbing it, however Scheffler has performed simply that.
He stays in his lane and solely pays consideration to his religion, household, shut pals, and his recreation. He ignores the entire noise, a difficult however spectacular accomplishment at the present time.
“It’s one thing that’s simply as a lot of a ability as having the ability to hit a driver within the fairway or an iron on line,” Thomas stated of Scheffler.
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“He’s clearly figured that out very nicely.”
Scheffler has been the very best participant on the planet for the previous three seasons, however this one has entered historic proportions. His win on the Tour Championship marked his seventh win of the season, thus changing into the primary participant to win seven instances on tour since Tiger Woods did so in 2007. These comparisons are palpable, despite the fact that Scheffler nonetheless has an extended option to go to match Woods’ accolades.
“All Scottie desires to do is simply play the very best he can and win as many tournaments as potential,” Thomas added.
“He’s doing a reasonably good job of that.”
Earlier this yr, critics blasted Scheffler for his placing woes, saying that his points with the flat stick saved him at bay. However he then modified his putter earlier than the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Scheffler gained at Bay Hill after which stormed again on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass to put up back-to-back wins in consecutive weeks—a second inexperienced jacket adopted shortly after that.
Scheffler posted solely common placing weeks throughout that span however nonetheless gained.
This week, on the restored East Lake Golf Membership, Scheffler rolled the rock higher than he had all season. He ranked fourth in strokes gained placing, which explains why he held such a large lead all week. He additionally had solely 82 putts on his 53 greens in regulation, good for first within the discipline. He took benefit of the alternatives he gave himself, and Thomas acknowledged that, too.
“His placing has been so spectacular,” Thomas stated.
However every part about Scheffler has been so spectacular. He makes every part look really easy, leaving all of us to shake our heads and say, “I don’t even know the place to begin.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
