Scottie Scheffler has done it again. He became the first player in The Players Championship’s 50-year history to win the event back-to-back.
Not to mention, after Scheffler won last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, he also played on the PGA Tour in quick succession.
There’s a reason he’s number one in the world, and his performance proved it once again. But unlike Bay Hill, this victory came with incredible drama on Sunday.
Scheffler’s final round 8-under 64 was astounding, tying him with Fred Couples and Davis Love III for the lowest final round winning score in tournament history. He entered the clubhouse at 20 under with three studs chasing him.
Brian Herman, Xander Schauffele and Windham Clark each made birdie putts on the 18th that could have sent them into a three-hole playoff.
Neither Herrmann nor Schauffele had much of a chance. But Clark’s putt impossibly missed, leaving the reigning U.S. Open champion eviscerated.
This Sunday’s championship may be one of the best golf fans have ever seen. This is certainly the best of 2024 so far.
Afterwards, fans couldn’t stop bragging about the great golf they witnessed as the 50th Players concluded.
I had fun playing golf this week too. A great drama where Xander, Windham, and Herman have a chance until the end. Fitti and Hideki also came from behind by just a few strokes.great tournament #player
— Liam Cope (@LiamCopeGolf) March 17, 2024
#LIV Stan is very quiet tonight, as if he realizes that loud music, drunk idiots and dancing girls don’t make for a good golf tournament. #player
— Johnny Cash (@sideandaprayer) March 17, 2024
When golf is this good on the PGA Tour, it’s hard for LIV Golf to compete. When multiple top 10 players in the world come close to winning The Players, it’s a must-see on TV.
If you think shotgun starts, no cuts, and limited field team golf are better than a four-way battle between three guys chasing the world’s best golfers, you’re just fooled. Just by being there, you can just keep going. #player #PGAT Tour
— Tim Findlay (@TimFindlay) March 17, 2024
It’s crazy how one tournament can completely change the mood of professional golf. I might worry about that tomorrow, but today I watched golf and remembered that this sport is the best. #player
— Swale Golf (@swalegolf) March 17, 2024
The impact that great golf has on viewer ratings is immeasurable. The PGA Tour needed a day like this, as Scheffler came back from five behind to win back-to-back Players Championships. He accomplished something not even Tiger Woods could do.
Professional golf is one of the best in the world, and as Swale Golf said on X, this Championship Sunday proved that.
Savannah Lee Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough On all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirls and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
