Scottie Scheffler’s remarkable PGA Tour form continued on Sunday evening after the American sealed a dramatic play-off victory over Tom Kim at the Travelers Championship.
The world number one now has six wins in his past ten starts and immediately bounced back from his US Open disappointment at Pinehurst No.2.
For Kim, however, finishing on 22 under and failing to land the victory was a bitter pill to swallow. After Korean made a birdie putt on his 72nd hole to extend the tournament, the 22-year-old made a rare bogey on the first play-off hole to hand Scheffler his 12th PGA Tour victory.
And, Scheffler, speaking during his post-round press conference, has admitted he was “hurt” by what happened to his close friend on Sunday evening.
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The world number one admitted that it was hard for him to watch Kim on the 18th, with a part of him wanting him to succeed.
“We had fun out there today,” said Scheffler. “It’s fun competing against your friends, but at the same time, it’s difficult because part of me wants him to miss the putt, and part of me wants him to make the putt.”
The 27-year-old added: “When I see him make bogey on the play-off hole, it hurts because he’s my friend, and it’s not a great feeling. But he should remember that putt he made on 18 because it was pretty special, and he’s a great player and champion. He has a habit of making those putts when it really matters.
“I figure a guy that young already winning three times out there and being the way he is in the President’s Cup. He has the right attitude to play out there for a long time. He’s only 22, which is just nuts.”
Tom Kim’s time will come
With Kim still in the infancy of his career, there’s no doubt the Korean’s time will come. His form in 2024 has been impressive, having missed just two cuts this year, one coming in the American Express, where he was 11 under after two rounds.
Having finished in the top 30 in the three major championships, the signs are undoubtedly positive heading to Royal Troon for The Open in July.
What happened to Kim at TPC River Highlands will benefit him massively going forward. Scheffler, for example, would never make an unforced error in a highly pressurised environment.
The next time Kim finds himself fighting for a signature PGA Tour title late in the final round, the same mistakes won’t occur.
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