Hero World Challenge: Scottie Scheffler shoots 63 to defend his title

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler once again proved why he reigns supreme in golf. At the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, Scheffler delivered a masterclass in consistency and composure, carding rounds of 67-64-69-63 to finish at 25-under 263. His six-stroke victory not only secured his ninth title of the year but also reinforced his unyielding hold on the top spot in the rankings since May 2023.

Scheffler entered Sunday trailing Justin Thomas by a single stroke after Thomas’ three solid rounds of 66-67-66. But the final round was all Scheffler. Starting with an emphatic birdie on the opening hole, he set the tone for the day. A flawless 9-under 63 sealed the deal, as he pulled away from the pack with surgical precision. By the turn, he was 4-under for the day and in complete control. A birdie on the par-4 10th extended his lead, and when Tom Kim, one of his closest competitors, faltered with a bogey on the 11th, Scheffler had built an insurmountable cushion.

With this win, Scheffler became just the third player to successfully defend his Hero World Challenge title, joining elite company alongside Viktor Hovland (2021-22) and Tiger Woods (2006-07). The victory caps an extraordinary year where Scheffler excelled on every stage—dominating both stroke play and match play, thriving in tournaments across the globe, and winning both from behind and with a lead.

The week also saw impressive performances from the Indian-origin trio of Akshay Bhatia, Sahith Theegala, and Aaron Rai, making their tournament debuts in the Bahamas. Bhatia shone brightest, finishing fourth with rounds of 67-66-71-69 for a 15-under total. Theegala, after a strong start, closed with a 10-under finish for eighth place, while Rai’s steady play earned him a tied-14th spot at 4-under.

Scottie Scheffler’s list of tournament wins in 2024

Date	Tournament
10/3/2024	Arnold Palmer Invitational
17/3/2024	The PLAYERS Championship
14/4/2024	The Masters Tournament
21/4/2024	RBC Heritage
9/6/2024	The Memorial Tournament
23/6/2024	Travelers Championship
4/8/2024	Olympic Men’s Golf Competition
1/9/2024	Tour Championship
8/12/2024	Hero World Challenge