ST. ANDREWS — With a vice-like grip on the Claret Jug, Scottie Scheffler’s Open Championship victory at Royal Troon cemented his status as the most dominant men’s golfer since Tiger Woods. The 28-year-old American’s relentless consistency, unshakable mental fortitude, and near-flawless ball-striking have drawn inevitable comparisons to Woods in his prime. "He’s the closest thing we’ve seen to Tiger," said six-time major winner Nick Faldo.
A Season for the Ages
Scheffler’s 2024 campaign has been nothing short of historic. Before lifting the Claret Jug, he had already secured:
- The Masters (his second green jacket)
- The Players Championship (back-to-back wins)
- Four other PGA Tour victories
- A record-breaking 14 top-10 finishes in 16 starts
His Open triumph marked his third major title, putting him alongside Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka as the only active players with three or more majors before age 30. "The scary part? He’s just getting started," remarked analyst Paul Azinger.
The Tiger Comparisons
Scheffler’s statistical dominance mirrors Woods’ peak years. Through 16 starts in 2024:
- Strokes Gained: Total — +3.12 (Woods’ 2006 mark: +3.24)
- Greens in Regulation — 75.3% (2nd all-time since 1980)
- Scoring Average — 67.8 (lowest since Woods in 2009)
- Win Rate — 37.5% (Woods’ 2000 rate: 43%)
But it’s Scheffler’s demeanor that truly evokes memories of Woods. "He’s got that same killer instinct," said caddie Ted Scott. "When he’s in contention, you can see the switch flip. The crowd, the pressure—none of it phases him."
The Secret to His Success
1. Ball-Striking Machine
Scheffler leads the Tour in both Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (+1.21) and Approach-the-Green (+1.45). His iron play at Royal Troon was particularly masterful, hitting 83% of greens in regulation during the final round. "It’s like he’s playing a different course," marveled playing partner Rory McIlroy.
2. Unmatched Consistency
Scheffler hasn’t missed a cut since August 2022—a streak of 42 events. His worst finish in 2024? T45 at the Genesis Invitational, where he withdrew mid-tournament due to illness. "That’s Tiger-level stuff," noted stats guru Justin Ray.
3. Ice in His Veins
When holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead, Scheffler is now 8-for-9 converting to wins. His final-round scoring average (67.1) is the best on Tour. "Pressure? What pressure?" quipped Scheffler after his Open victory.
What’s Next?
With the PGA Championship (2022) and Masters (2024) already on his resume, Scheffler needs only a U.S. Open to complete the career Grand Slam—a feat achieved by only five men, including Woods. Given his current form, few would bet against him at Pinehurst No. 2 next year.
As for the inevitable GOAT comparisons? Scheffler remains characteristically humble: "Tiger’s in his own category. I’m just trying to be the best version of me." But with each passing tournament, that version looks increasingly like the next golfing legend.
The numbers don’t lie. Through 100 career starts, Scheffler has:
- 11 wins (same as Woods at this stage)
- 3 majors (Woods had 4)
- $45 million in earnings (adjusted for inflation)
- 48 top-10 finishes (Woods: 51)
As the sun set over Royal Troon, a telling moment unfolded. A young fan held up a sign: "SCOTTIE = TIGER 2.0." For once, hyperbole might be understating reality.
