How the FedExCup and Olympic Gold define a season for the ages — Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler Reflects on a Monumental Season After Capturing the FedExCup

The culmination of an extraordinary year in golf was marked by Scottie Scheffler’s historic victory at the TOUR Championship, where he lifted the FedExCup for the first time. This crowning achievement, coming on the heels of seven wins throughout 2024, including a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games, represents the pinnacle of Scheffler’s impressive season. In this blog post, Scheffler takes us through the emotions, challenges, and triumphs of his remarkable journey, from the pressures of leading in a major tournament to the pivotal role of his caddie.

 

Reflecting on the past week, Scheffler admits that the experience has been both exhilarating and exhausting. “It’s a lot of fun,” he shares. “We’ve put in a lot of work to get to this point, and it’s been a long week. Right now, I’m just pretty tired, so I don’t really know how to put this into words. It’s a pretty special feeling to finally be holding this trophy.”

 

Maintaining focus throughout the tournament was a significant accomplishment for Scheffler. “All week, I tried my best to stay in the present, and I did a good job of that,” he explains. “I think I handled it much better mentally.” Holding a substantial lead, particularly a seven-shot advantage after the first round, added to the unique nature of the event. “It’s unusual playing several rounds with a lead,” Scheffler notes. “It’s a different feeling, and I feel like this tournament lasts longer than other tournaments.”

 

Looking back on the season, Scheffler reflects on the personal growth he’s experienced. “When I look back now, I feel like I’ve lived almost a full lifetime in this one year,” he says. “I think it just always comes back to my faith, and I think that’s what keeps me grounded and keeps me in the right frame of mind.” His consistency throughout the year, including leading the FedExCup points list for an extended period, made the final victory particularly gratifying. “I’ve been leading the FedExCup points list for a long time, and to come in here with a little lead and be able to finish it off the right way is nice.”

 

The challenges of past years, particularly the disappointment of not converting leads into victories, were not lost on Scheffler. “Two years ago, it was pretty tough to have a good lead into the last round and then not play my best and end up losing,” he recalls. “Last year, I had an off week, and it was disappointing, too.” This year, however, proved different. “So to come in with a lead for the third time and be able to finish it off is definitely pretty sweet.”

 

Being named Player of the Year on the PGA TOUR for the last two seasons without capturing the FedExCup left a lingering sense of dissatisfaction. “It leaves a bad taste in your mouth at the end of the year, especially when you’re starting the tournament ahead of people,” Scheffler admits. He recognizes that in previous years, he might have placed too much pressure on himself. “Maybe the last couple of years, I’ve put too much pressure on myself to perform or whatever it is,” he reflects. “But this year, I did a good job of just staying in it mentally and keeping my head down. I had a really good week and was able to finish it off the right way.”

 

The final round presented its own set of challenges. “I got off to a good start in the final round, and then I obviously had the two holes on 7 and 8 where I made bogeys,” Scheffler recounts. “Teddy [Ted Scott, his caddie] did a good job of keeping me focused.” A crucial moment came when Scheffler made a birdie on the 9th hole, shifting the momentum in his favor. “I was able to hit a nice shot into 9 for birdie, and it really changed the momentum,” he notes.

 

Scheffler credits much of his success to his caddie, Ted Scott. “Teddy gives me good speeches all the time. That is why he’s such a good caddie,” Scheffler says. “I don’t think a day goes by that he is not giving me some decent advice or giving me a good laugh when I need it.” Scott’s timely pep talks and ability to provide the right words of encouragement have been invaluable. “He gave me a nice pep talk on the back of 8 green because I kind of looked at him like, man, I don’t know about this; this isn’t looking so hot right now,” Scheffler explains. “I was then able to hit a nice iron shot in there and got things rolling. It really changed the momentum of the round.”

 

Reflecting on the broader scope of his achievements, Scheffler expresses pride in his results for the year. “Overall, it’s been a great year,” he says. “I’m proud of the results. It’s something I try not to focus too much on, but at the end of the day, being able to win tournaments is a great feeling, and it’s what we work towards. To be able to have as many wins as I have this year is really special.”

 

Looking ahead, Scheffler is eager to enjoy a short break before shifting his focus to the Presidents Cup. “I’m looking forward to going home and getting rest for a week or so before I start prepping for the Presidents Cup because that’s a tournament that I really want us to go out there and win at Royal Montreal,” he says. “It’s been a very eventful year, and it’s been really fun.”

 

As Scottie Scheffler reflects on his extraordinary season, it’s clear that his dedication, mental fortitude, and strong support system have played crucial roles in his success. The 2024 season stands as a testament to his hard work and resilience, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting continuation of his golfing career.