Arguably, the worst shot Scottie Scheffler hit during the 2024 season came during the final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake.
After finding a greenside bunker on the eighth hole, the world number one was faced with a daunting shot, straight downhill with a water hazard immediately behind the green. Unfazed, the two-time Masters champion was prepared to take a full swing.
What followed was completely unexpected.
Scheffler shanked his bunker shot right and back down into the fairway. Like all great players, Scheffler managed to make a bogey, but the mistake opened a window of hope for the chasing pack, which included Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala.
Many golfers would have wilted under pressure, and Scheffler credits Ted Scott for steadying the ship.
What Ted Scott said after Scottie Scheffler’s shank at the Tour Championship
Scheffler previously admitted Scott calmed him down after the errant bunker shot. Now, the world number one’s caddie has disclosed the first eight words he said as the pair left the eighth green.
During a teaser clip for the upcoming ‘Scottie 24’ film, Scheffler and Scott discussed what happened at East Lake.
Scheffler: “I remember walking off the green telling Teddy, ‘Oh my gosh, what is happening right now?’. And he told me something along the lines of like….”
Scott said: “Who’s the number one golfer in the world?
“I’d take you with two shots down with ten holes against anybody in the world; that’s how good you are. The last thing I remember saying to him was, ‘Show off for Randy’ just to lighten the mood. Pretend your coach is here, and you’re just showing off for him.”
Scheffler went on to make three consecutive birdies and an eagle on 14 to take complete control of the Tour Championship and add $25m to his season earnings.
Bounceback brilliance from Scottie Scheffler at the Tour Championship
The world’s best players nearly always bounce back from difficult situations. Scheffler’s three birdies and an eagle after shank demonstrates just how much of an elite-level player the American is. It’s Tiger Woods-esque and something only the game’s great players are capable of. Woods would never fail to turn up in vital moments, and it’s a trait which Scheffler clearly has.
In contrast, one only needs to look at Rory McIlroy. In recent years, the Northern Irishman has crumbled after encountering difficult situations, and until the 35-year-old learns to deal with testing moments, the wait for major number five will continue.
As for Scott, Scheffler’s partnership with Bubba Watson’s former caddie could well turn into one of golf’s all-time caddie-player combinations. Scott’s experience, coupled with Scheffler’s innate world-class skill, could lead to an era of dominance not seen since Tiger’s heyday.
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