The one big question Scottie Scheffler still needs to answer is whether the world number one can sustain his 2024 form over several years to the degree which sees him put alongside the greatest to have ever played the game – including Tiger Woods.
There is no doubt at all that Scottie Scheffler has enjoyed the kind of season which will be talked about for years to come, with the 28-year-old winning eight times worldwide. Those victories include The Masters, The Players, The Tour Championship and the Olympics.
Scheffler enjoyed the kind of dominance which has not been since Tiger Woods was at the top of the game. Of course, what separates Woods from many of those who have climbed golf’s summit in the years since is the longevity the 15-time major champion had.
So golf fans are now waiting to find out whether Scheffler is indeed Woods’ successor. It is definitely too early to say, but it is a serious conversation to be had if he replicates his 2024 a few more times.
What Scottie Scheffler does as well as Tiger Woods at his peak
And according to Woods’ former coach Chris Como, there is one part of the game where Scheffler is as good as the 48-year-old, as he discussed the keys to his success on the No Laying Up Podcast.
“It’s the best ball striking we’ve seen since Tiger, it’s right at that level, and I mean Tiger in his peak. I know Tiger had more speed, maybe 2000, but maybe Scottie has more control with his irons. It’s weird trying to do a good statistical analysis on comparing them, but it’s right there,” he said.
“He’s obviously done great work with his putting with Phil Kenyon, and has made a nice uptick with that. His short game’s unbelievable, so yeah, he’s playing the best golf we’ve seen since Tiger, full speed Tiger type of thing.”
A point to still prove
It will be very interesting to see how Scheffler’s game evolves over the next few years, particularly as there are so many outstanding players around right now. Scheffler is one of a number of world-class players currently on two major titles.
And golf has seen some players produce incredible golf for a couple of years before fading away. The likes of Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth perhaps spring to mind after their respective purple patches.
It is hard to imagine that Scheffler’s time at the top will be brief. But clearly, he cannot afford to get complacent as there are some superb names waiting to take his crown – Como now, of course, works with Xander Schauffele.
But if he does strike the ball as well as Woods, there is no question that Scheffler has a phenomenal chance of being the player who completely defines this era.
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