Scottie Scheffler rounded out an exceptional 2024 with an incredible and dominant victory at the Hero World Challenge, carding a final round 63 to defend the title he won in 2023.
Producing nine birdies and nine pars, the World No.1 was in imperious form, carding a round that was four shots better than anyone else, as Scheffler cruised to a six shot victory over good friend Tom Kim.
Throughout the final day on Sunday, Scheffler never really looked challenged as he took the lead from playing partner, Justin Thomas, on the third hole, birdieing the fourth and ninth to sit two clear going into the back nine.
From there, Scheffler then birdied the 10th, 13th and 14th to move four clear, with further birdies at the 16th and 18th giving him a six shot win and an eighth title of 2024.
Along with the victory, the American also surpassed Sir Nick Faldo for the most consecutive weeks as World No.1, with Scheffler moving into his 82nd week as the top player in the world.
Hero World Challenge Full Leaderboard
- -25 Scottie Scheffler
- -19 Tom Kim
- -18 Justin Thomas,
- -15 Akshay Bhatia
- -14 Keegan Bradley
- -12 Ludvig Aberg
- -11 Robert MacIntyre
- -10 Sahith Theegala
- -8 Sungjae Im, Sepp Straka
- -7 Patrick Cantlay
- -6 Brian Harman
- -5 Cameron Young
- -4 Sam Burns, Aaron Rai
- -1 Nick Dunlap
- E Matthieu Pavon, Wyndham Clark
- +1 Jason Day, Russel Henley
Updates From...
Good evening all and welcome to Golf Monthly's final round coverage of the Hero World Challenge, which is set to be an enthralling watch as Major winners Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler go toe-to-toe.
Thomas starts one shot ahead, with the American leading World No.1 Scheffler who is searching for yet another title to end his 2024 on a high! Either way, it's set to be a thrilling finale at Tiger's event and, with 18 holes remaining, the likes of Tom Kim and US Ryder Cup Captain, Keegan Bradley, will hope to mount charges in the Bahamas!
The leaders both find the fairway at the first and both fire in excellent approach shots! Scottie Scheffler is the first to reach the opening green, sticking it to within 10-feet. Justin Thomas bests him comfortably, though, sticking his gap-wedge to near gimme range and all but a guaranteed birdie.
Ahead, both Tom Kim and Keegan Bradley parred the first and, in terms of the final group, Scheffler finds the birdie, with Thomas following him in for a birdie also. Both men are now 17 and 18-under, with Thomas continuing to keep his lead.
Woah! Admittedly, that was a difficult chip for Justin Thomas, who saw his iron shot run through the back of the green at the second, but I didn't expect that!
Faced with a difficult chip shot, off a tight lie, JT tries to get too fancy and sees his attempt finish just a few yards in front of him. Admittedly, his follow-up attempt was exceptional, but it will be a bogey for the American, who drops back into a share of the lead with Scheffler.
Speaking of Scheffler, he has a great chance for birdie to take the outright lead, but his 15-foot birdie attempt finishes in the jaws of the hole, with Scottie tapping in for par.
The perfect bunker shot doesn't exi- pic.twitter.com/isAAzoVd7TDecember 8, 2024
Cameron Young led after the first round and, despite a 75 and 72 in his second and third rounds, he is currently two-under for the day through seven for his final round thanks to shots like these!
He is one of the players under-par and also included in that is Kim, who has birdied the par 5 third via another lengthy putt to move within one of the lead. Excellent work from the South Korean, who has just seen his playing partner, Bradley, bogey the same hole to drop to 12-under alongside Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia.
Exceptional start from Scheffler, who finds another birdie at the par 5 third to move to two-under for the day and 18-under for the tournament. To help the World No.1 further, Thomas just misses his birdie attempt to stay at 17-under and is now one back of Scheffler. That's a two shot swing in the opening three holes.
Thomas has put a 46" inch driver in the bag this week and, not only today, but for all four rounds, it's been working exceptionally well. Driving Scheffler by 20 yards at the fourth, both men are in a great position to go at the flag once again, with the duo teeing the ball superbly.
Up ahead, Kim just misses his birdie attempt to go at 17-under-par for the tournament through four holes, whilst Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia and Keegan Bradley remain at 12-under, six back of Scheffler.
Scheffler holes a monster putt! It's not just Thomas who has made changes to his game of late, with Scheffler changing his putting grip.
Certainly, after the first three days it's been working and, at the fourth, Scheffler holes a 50-footer for an incredible birdie to get to 19-under!
Not to be outdone, Thomas follows him in after a classy approach shot, with the two-time Major winner rolling in a 13-footer to stay within one of the World No.1.
Bhatia and Theegala both find birdies at the par 5 sixth, with both men moving to one-under for the day and 13-under for the tournament. The duo have enjoyed excellent 2024s and both are showing their form here!
3 birdies in his first 4 holes 💪 Scottie Scheffler leads by 1. 📺 GOLF Channel pic.twitter.com/Ygu0J6loZRDecember 8, 2024
Scheffler moves two clear! Thomas finds trouble at the par 3 fifth and, following an unlucky second shot from the sand that grabs on the green, he is unable to hole his par putt.
In terms of Scheffler, he is faced with a 15-footer for birdie, with it looking in all the way. However, it dives off at the last moment and he taps in for par. It's not all bad news, though, as he is now two ahead of his fellow countryman through five holes.
There's a very familiar name at the top of the leaderboard, with World No.1 Scottie Scheffler two clear of 2022 PGA Champion Justin Thomas on the fifth hole, but another player remains in contention - Tom Kim, who has just made his second birdie of the day on the sixth to move level with Thomas.
Kim remains very much in the conversation. He played a beautifully judged chip onto the seventh green to leave a birdie chance. His birdie putt was close, but it just had a bit too much speed. One hole behind him, Thomas and Scheffler have settled for par.
Scheffler found a bunker from his tee shot on the seventh, and he's made the green with his recovery, but the ball almost stopped dead on the green rather than roll towards the flag. On the par 3 eighth, Tom Kim continues to apply pressure with an excellent tee shot onto the green, but his birdie putt doesn't make it.
High class from Scheffler, who sticks it to 15-feet on the 205-yard par 3. The hole is playing into wind, so that 205 is more like 225, but it's no match for the World No.1, who hits a laser-like iron into the heart of the green.
After Scheffler, Thomas misses the green left and will need to get up-and-down to stay two behind. The 31-year-old hasn't done much wrong this final round, but seems to be struggling to keep pace with Scheffler.
The World No.1 just misses his birdie attempt but, once again, it's a simple par for Scheffler, who remains at 19-under. Not to be outdone, Thomas makes an excellent up-and-down to remain at 17-under, two back of Scottie
What a beauty from Kim at the ninth, who will need to find more of those to challenge his good friend Scheffler. After laying up with his second, the 22-year-old sticks his wedge shot to under five-foot and holes it for birdie. He goes out in 33 and is one back of Scottie.
Some interesting shots from both Scheffler and Thomas at the ninth... Pulling out the fairway wood, Scottie hits an incredibly low shot to leave himself in prime position to attack the flag. In Thomas' world, he has a mud ball and is forced to hit a low fairway wood. It's a good effort, but he has left himself in a rather tough position to get up-and-down for birdie.
Ahead, Theegala is now 14-under and five back of Scheffler, whilst Aberg is five-under for his round and 12-under for the tournament. His round is currently the lowest of the day.
JT duffs it again! As mentioned, Scheffler is in prime position to go at the flag and, from 60-yards, the World No.1 puts it close and gives himself another chance for a great birdie.
Thomas is known as one of the best short game players in the world but, for a second time today, he chunks his chip directly in front of him! It happened at the second and it's happened once again but, fair play to Thomas, who plays a lovely second chip to potentially save par.
Scheffler leads by one going into the back nine. A stunning pitch shot is followed by a solid birdie putt, and that grip is working well for Scheffler, who gets to 20-under and one ahead of Kim, who birdies the 10th following an excellent approach.
Within Scheffler's group, Thomas holes his par putt to sit three back of his playing partner. If you want to check out what is set to be a thrilling final nine holes, be sure to take a look at our free live stream post here, which includes all the details you need.
We have sand troubles for the title contenders at the 10th and 11th, with Kim finding the waste area left of the green at the par 5 11th, whilst Thomas, who received a huge slice of luck following a poor tee shot, goes long and left of the green with his approach.
In Thomas' group, Scheffler follows the longest drive of the day at the 10th with yet another solid approach. The 28-year-old hits the centre of the green and will have yet another good look for a birdie to get to 21-under.
Scheffler is on a charge! This is so good from the World No.1, who rolls in the 20-footer at the 10th for birdie and to move to 21-under. Honestly, I can't see anyone beating him in this form!
In the group, Thomas makes yet another good up-and-down for par to remain 17-under. However, he is now four back of Scheffler, who is three ahead of Kim, having bogeyed the par 5 11th.
On the par 5 11th, Thomas continues his exhibition of driving with yet another tee shot of over 300 yards of carry. Before that, Scheffler was watching his tee shot nervously and for good reason, due to the fact he has found the fairway bunker and will need to chip out.
Although Scheffler finds the fairway bunker, he has moved three ahead due to Kim three putting the par 5 11th. Kim is 18-under, Scheffler is 21-under and has some breathing room.
There's some high quality golf going on here and, at the par 5 11th, Thomas puts his favorite club, his trusty fairway wood, to the centre of the green. He has a good look at eagle, whilst Scheffler has found the green with his third from 190-yards. Potential movement here at the top of the leaderboard...
Thomas moves within three shots of Scheffler. The American's eagle attempt at the par 5 11th just slides by the right side, with Scheffler's birdie putt coming up short.
Currently, Scheffler sits at 21-under, three ahead of Thomas and Kim, who has just parred the par 3 12th following a steady two putt. It seems that the tournament is still in Scottie's hands.
Delightful from Kim at the 13th, who sticks his approach to under five-feet. The South Korean will need to hole that for birdie and, ideally, make a good run over the next few holes to pressurise Scheffler, who has parred the par 3 12th following a solid two putt.
As Scheffler sits at 21-under, Thomas rolls in a four-footer for par to stay at 18-under. Meanwhile, Kim has holed his birdie putt to get to 19-under, just two back of Scheffler, who gets a big slice of luck on the 13th tee, with his golf ball missing the wasteland and staying on the fairway
Advantage Scheffler! The World No.1 puts his second into the 13th to just four-feet and will have a great look at birdie to extend his advantage. Next up is Thomas who, striking a wedge, flies the green and finds the wasteland behind it. Feel that's a big mistake for JT who, realistically, has to play perfect golf to win this tournament.
Scheffler converts his birdie attempt and now leads by three from Kim. Excellent display from the World No.1, who is clear of his good friend, who has a chance of birdie at the 14th up ahead.
Scheffler and Thomas find the green at the driveable par 4 14th! Wow, that is epic from both men, who both drive the 302-yard hole and set up eagle attempts.
🎙️ Tiger in the booth. 🎯 Scottie with the dart. 📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/TuGNBjG1zoDecember 8, 2024
Along with Scheffler's shot in to the 13th to set up a birdie, he's just missed an eagle attempt at the 14th to move to 24-under! Tapping in for a birdie, Scottie is 23-under, whilst Thomas also makes birdie to get to 19-under. Currently, Scheffler is four ahead and seemingly cruising to another title in 2024...
306 yards ➡️ 16 feet@JustinThomas34 drives the green on the par-4 14th.📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/Ck41NL1OOJDecember 8, 2024
So good from JT!
After two solid blows, Thomas just misses his eagle attempt at the par 5 15th, with the American moving to 20-under, one ahead of Kim, who is in trouble at the par 4 16th. Carving his drive right, the South Korean gets a horrid lie and can't find the fairway from the sand, with the 22-year-old then only just reaching the green with his third. He'll have a mid-range putt for par.
Back at the 15th, Scheffler short sides himself in the bunker and, after splashing out on the green, misses his birdie putt. He now leads by three from Thomas
So close from Kim! Faced with a par putt, Kim's attempt from 15-feet slides by and that's a bogey. You feel that's him out of the tournament now, especially as he's five back with two remaining.
Behind Kim, Scheffler hits a poor drive, but gets away with a good lie in the sand. He'll have 215-yards into the 16th, whilst Thomas has found yet another fairway... This time it's just the 317 yard tee shot for the American!
That's so good from Scottie! From 215-yards, he hits a screamer of a 4-iron to 13-feet. It was the shortest tee shot of the day on the 16th, but Scheffler shows his ball-striking class once again to cement his position at the top
Tournament over? JT goes long with his second shot at the 16th and, after trying to hole his chip shot, runs well past the hole. He misses the par putt coming back and drops to 19-under-par.
To make matters worse, Scheffler holes his birdie attempt for an outrageous gain! He now leads by five with two holes remaining and all but secures a second consecutive Hero World Challenge trophy.
Pars all-round at the 17th. Both Scheffler and Thomas find the green at the par 3, but the American duo hit putts that never scare the hole. Scheffler still leads by five and, with Kim finding the green at the 18th, it's between Thomas and Kim for second place.
Drama at the last! Starting with Kim, the South Korean holes his birdie putt at the 18th to move to 19-under-par and into a share of second spot.
Back on the tee, Scheffler finds the fairway (again!), whilst Thomas pulls his tee shot left and, we believe, in the penalty area. We're waiting on the drop, but Kim may have wrapped up second spot here from under JT's nose.
That's the tournament done! Well, for those hoping for a Scheffler blow-up I'm afraid you're disappointed. From 170-yards, the World No.1 sticks a 9-iron to five-foot and will have a great chance to wrap-up the title in convincing fashion.
Regarding JT, he is forced to take a drop after not finding his tee shot and, striking an iron, he puts it close and will have a chance to remain level with Kim at 19-under. Big putt, money-wise, coming up...
Scottie Scheffler wins and defends the Hero World Challenge! Utter dominance from the World No.1, who defends his title from 2023 and claims a six shot victory.
In terms of Justin Thomas, he missed his par putt and finishes in solo third, one shot back of Tom Kim and seven back of Scheffler.
Adding another trophy to the collection 🏆Scottie Scheffler wins the Hero World Challenge. pic.twitter.com/QlnkrTCzppDecember 8, 2024
The winning moment for the defending champion!
