Scottie Scheffler Triumphs at Memorial, Joins Tiger Woods in History

2024

Scottie Scheffler won the Memorial Tournament for his fifth victory of 2024, joining Tiger Woods in history. The win did not come easily and was decided on the 72nd hole. Scheffler secured the victory by one stroke over Collin Morikawa, despite shooting a 2-over 74 on a challenging day at Muirfield Village. Only 11 players finished under-par for the week, with Sunday’s final round averaging a score of 74.93.

The drama unfolded on the 18th hole, where Scheffler’s 8-iron shot from the fairway went over the green due to firm conditions that made it difficult for players to reach the putting surfaces. Morikawa, trailing by one, also missed the green from a fairway bunker, turning the competition into a chipping contest. Morikawa’s third shot nearly went in for a birdie. Scheffler, focused on his own play, noted, “I was just trying to stay in my own little world and focus on getting my ball up and down.”

Morikawa admitted his misread, saying, “I thought it was breaking right, but it broke left. It’s a tough chip shot.” Scheffler then left his chip about five feet short, setting up a winning putt. He holed it to secure his fifth win of the season.

Scheffler’s first victory of the year came at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, followed by wins at The Players, Augusta National, and Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage. The Memorial win marks his first career PGA Tour win after April, coming just a week before the U.S. Open.

Reflecting on his victories, Scheffler said, “It’s hard to rate the difficulty of wins, but this one is up there. Being at Mr. [Jack] Nicklaus’s golf course and winning here is very satisfying.” He recalled a conversation with Nicklaus, who once told him, “One day, you’ll make the putt on 18, and you’ll be walking off to shake my hand.” That moment came true for Scheffler this year.

In the final round, Scheffler didn’t always look like the top player in the world. He had bogeys at the 4th and 8th holes but made a birdie at the 6th. His only par-breaker of the day, he managed several crucial pars, including a significant 25-foot par save on the 16th, maintaining his two-shot lead.

Despite missed birdie opportunities on the 12th and 13th holes, Scheffler’s steady play on the 17th and 18th holes secured his win. Tournament host Jack Nicklaus noted, “Scottie didn’t have his A-game today, but he put enough together to win the tournament, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Scheffler’s victory at the Memorial also carries historical significance. Only one other golfer, Tiger Woods in 2001, has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players, the Masters, and the Memorial in the same year. Woods’ victory at Muirfield Village that year marked his fourth win of the season.

Scheffler’s final round saw him struggle at times, but his composure under pressure ensured his victory. His win was also his first as a father, with his wife Meredith and son Bennett there to witness it. Scheffler expressed pride in his wife, saying, “Watching her be a mom the last month or so has been really special. I couldn’t do what I do without her support.”

This win adds to Scheffler’s impressive 2024 season and sets the stage for his next challenge at the U.S. Open.

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