The cinematic and Tarantino-esque reference in the title has nothing to do with what Scottie Scheffler (-19) had to do today to certify his victory in the RBC Heritage, as he only needed a +1 in the three holes he had left to win comfortably and still with a comfortable final difference of three strokes over his immediate pursuer, second alone, Sahith Theegala (-16).
It has more to do with the fact that Scheffler continues his unleashed march towards glory and records in this 2024, adding the fourth victory in his last five appearances, with a second place in Houston being his worst result in this amazing stretch of the season. No one more powerful in the world of golf since the times of Tiger Woods’ voracious tyranny. No one could hold Tiger’s gaze in such a way since Vijay Singh had the audacity to dispute and even snatch the World Number One from him between September 2004 and June 2005 for 32 weeks.
Could this Scottie Scheffler stand up to the best version of Woods? Well, it’s a golf fiction exercise. The technical records say yes, without a doubt (Strokes Gained:Total, average strokes…), although then you would have to put him there, on a Sunday, in front of a man dressed in red and black, to see how he sweated. In this sense, the hat tip goes to Singh, no doubt about it.
Scheffler, once again, has not even needed to finish among the top twenty in any putting statistic to win the tournament comfortably (36th in the SG:Putting statistic). And perhaps, once again, this circumstance is what is truly monstrous in his beastly race towards unknown galaxies. He is not the best putter, yet, but it is a fact that his work with Phil Kenyon has given him a steadiness and consistency on the greens that multiply the effects of Scheffler’s real ‘super power’, his versatile (boring? Mamma mia) and surgical tee to green game.
This fabulous streak, at such peaks of excellence and results, will have to end, and it will probably do so sooner rather than later. But it piques curiosity: who, how, when and in what way will be able to subdue such a display of game and confidence? It is normal that he continues to be his own most bitter rival. And that only when his stratospheric level descends to the vulgar atmosphere a few can beat him.
Who knows, maybe Sahith Theegala will pose as a more or less solid candidate in the medium term. His second final place in this Signature Event is going to bring him closer again to the doors of the world top ten and his evolution is constant. Meanwhile, we must continue to look at other illustrious figures such as Justin Thomas (-14), who in Hilton Head, without making noise, has closed a promising week. Or Collin Morikawa (-13), who has appeared again at the top and despite his grey final round of 72 strokes (it may be him, as was also seen in the Masters, one of those who suffer the most from the frantic pace set by Scheffler). Or Patrick Cantlay (-15), who has shone again in one of his favourite places on the circuit, it is true, but who sooner or later has to show more and better head. Even from Rory McIlroy (-7) a prompt and resounding improvement is expected…
Meanwhile, for now, at the moment, Unleashed Scottie continues to lead them all down the street of bitterness. Of a bitterness tempered in deep admiration, to be more exact.
