Scheffler’s 2024 Masters performance acted as both a reminder and a warning: This is the best player in the world and he could be just getting started.
— Sports often produce some of the best underdog stories. We gravitate to them with ease and cherish them while they last. But the not-so-secret truth about it all is that nothing beats the innate desire to watch and witness greatness.
The nature of golf’s individuality facilitates this narrative. One player is responsible for every shot and the weight of every miss and make falls on his or her shoulders. This only serves to enhance the peaks and the valleys the best golfers in the world will inevitably go through. But once in a while, a figure arrives who seems to transcend the see-saw nature of sports and produce a kind of dominance that leaves fans and peers in awe.
After winning his second Masters in three years at just 27 years old on Sunday — his ninth tournament win of his career and third this year — Scottie Scheffler has established himself as the sport’s dominant force. The fact that it was widely expected only makes the accomplishment that much more impressive and cements Scheffler as someone the sport hasn’t had in a while: a Goliath.
« I think his superpower is people that are super powerful are good at everything, » Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, said. « And he seems to be good at everything. He doesn’t really have a weakness. »
A lot has changed since Scheffler won his first Masters in 2022. He’s older, is sporting a full beard and is about to be a father. On the golf course, however, he has only gotten better.
« I feel like I’m playing really good golf right now. I feel like I’m in control of my emotions as I’ve ever been, which is a good place to be, » Scheffler said. « I feel like I’m maturing as a person on the golf course, which is a good place to be. »
Before this tournament began, Scheffler’s inevitability could only be discussed in theory. His dominance had manifested itself in both statistics and results, but players of his caliber are measured by majors and being the outright favorite earned Scheffler nothing but high expectations.
For three days, Scheffler showcased every part of his complete game — consistent driving, improved putting, historic ball-striking and underrated short game. But it wasn’t until Scheffler’s ninth hole on Sunday, that the feeling of inevitability crystallized into reality.
He was only up by one stroke on Ludvig Åberg as he surveyed his short approach shot from the fairway. His long limbs swung over his head as he struck the ball, a snapshot of the fact that whatever grace the aesthetics of Scheffler’s swing may be lacking are made up by the sheer precision it produces.
