One of Scottie Scheffler’s most impressive 2024 victories saw him defend The Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass.
The event in Ponte Vedra Beach was by no means a walk in the park for the world number one. Scheffler faced stiff competition from Brian Harman, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark. The trio finished in a tie for second on 19 under, one shot back of their compatriot.
Scheffler said his victory at The Players was one of his best of 2024. His win is all the more remarkable after what he endured during the second round.
Justin Thomas stunned by what Scottie Scheffler did at The Players
Midway through Friday’s play at TPC Sawgrass, Scheffler felt a sharp pain in his neck, which eventually spread to his shoulder.
“I was two-under through four on Friday, so I was right in the thick of the tournament. All of a sudden, you know, I get that pinch in my neck,” Scheffler said. “I remember trying to hit a hard three-wood into number 11. We started on the back nine that day, and I hit one. It felt a little sore in my neck, and that’s when I started turning. I was like, Man, my neck feels a little bit tight. And it started to lock up kind of and finished up on number 11 get to 12 tee, and by then, it’s already starting to lock up a little bit more.”
He added: “I swing on 12, and it just like shooting pain, like from my ear down into my shoulder and in my back.”
Scheffler’s tee shot on 12 saw him produce one of his customary foot slides and an extremely whacky follow-through. Justin Thomas, who was playing alongside the world number one, couldn’t believe what he had witnessed.
“He had his tee shot on 12, and I audibly laugh out loud, like had to back off again, because I was like, That’s the most ridiculous follow through that I’ve ever seen,” Thomas said. “I didn’t know that His neck was hurt, so I felt bad after I found that out. I that.”
How much did Scottie Scheffler win at The Players Championship?
Despite being hampered by injury, Scheffler managed to card a 69 on Friday and remain firmly in contention heading into the weekend.
The American would then shoot a four-under 68 on Saturday before carding a stunning eight-under 64 to win back-to-back titles. $4.5m was added to Scheffler’s season earnings after his win at TPC Sawgrass.
The Florida venue appears to be another course well-suited to Scheffler’s game. When the Players Championship starts in March, it’s hard to imagine anything other than the American’s third consecutive win.
Considering Scheffler won whilst carrying an injury, a wider winning margin will no doubt be on his mind when the year’s unofficial fifth major begins.
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