Scottie Scheffler (-20) has ruled the Hero World Challenge with crushing authority, especially over the last 54 holes of the tournament, the last three rounds. After two second places in the previous two editions, the Texan wins at the Albany Golf Club, and he does so by imposing his law, which is that of the World Number One, no more, no less, and with a three-stroke lead over the second, Sepp Straka (-17), who reached such position after signing a 64. A very simple law, according to which the best player on the planet acts as such and ends up standing out in each and every one of the areas of the game.
Okay, it may be that these players arrive at this event in the Bahamas a bit slow, in holiday mode, some waking up after several weeks without competing, even months, so it is not the best tournament to draw the most reliable conclusions. Be that as it may, something tells us that Scheffler was not willing to let go, he did not come just to test himself, to spend a few more or less competitive leisure days. He came hungry. And eager to prove that he still has room for improvement, that he can still be a better player. For example, on the greens. Today he signed a round of 68 strokes, very orderly, without major shocks, and his putter has not smoked either, but throughout the week he has shown positive evolution in this area.
We repeat it again: if Scheffler really manages to take a noticeable leap in the putt statistics, then he can become a devastating tsunami… We are talking about a player, let’s not forget, who in the last 22 months has played 44 tournaments and in 18 of them he finished among the top three, with seven victories included, and all this without even being among the top hundred putters on the PGA Tour.
The charge of Straka from afar has not really disturbed the winner, who on the other hand was keeping at bay the comeback efforts of Thomas and Finau (both, cards of 67 strokes), with surgical precision work, without getting into trouble and adding birdies on the most propitious holes.
This Hero, the last date of the year for most of these players, if not all, of course leaves us the display of power of Scottie Scheffler, who is eager to fight, to start 2024 already to face his two main rivals for the world throne, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.
But it also leaves us, of course, the return of Tiger Woods (PAR) to competition. His records have not been spectacular, that is very clear. Today he finished with a round of 72 strokes, at par, figures around which he has moved throughout the four days. For now he is not for more, with some evident gaps in the short game, on a course, of course, where the game around the greens is very tricky, and in general with too many ups and downs in practically all areas of the game, although he has shown himself moderately satisfied with the game from the tee.
Be that as it may, the most important thing is that the great champion from Cypress has been able to play the four rounds without physical problems, with hardly any pain in his battered right ankle, although dragging the logical physical discomfort that rust from lack of competition brings with it.
