Scottie Scheffler secured his 16th PGA Tour victory on Sunday, overcoming a late charge from Griffin to claim The Memorial title. After Griffin’s electrifying eagle on the 15th hole and a clutch birdie on 16, Scheffler’s lead shrank rapidly, but the reigning star stayed steady to close out the tournament.
Griffin’s Fierce Rally Falls Just Short as Scheffler Stays Composed
Griffin came alive late in the round, firing an eagle on the par-5 15th that sent ripples through the leaderboard. Not stopping there, he drained a long birdie putt on the par-3 16th, suddenly cutting Scheffler’s once-comfortable lead from four shots down to just two with two holes to play. The tension was palpable. Could Griffin pull off a stunning comeback?
Scheffler didn’t flinch. “I told myself when we were standing there on 17 tee, if [Griffin] eagles 15, birdies 16 and 17 and 18, we deserve to be in a playoff,” Scheffler admitted after the round. It was a show of respect to Griffin’s fiery push, acknowledging just how intense the closing stretch had become.
But golf is as much about mental grit as it is about physical skill. Scheffler hit the fairway on 17 and then the green, setting himself up with a solid birdie chance. Griffin, meanwhile, found the rough off the tee, an unforgiving spot that ultimately cost him dearly. He walked away with a double bogey on 17, while Scheffler calmly recorded a four, effectively putting the contest out of reach.
By the time Scheffler made his way to the 18th green, the crowd was buzzing. Tournament host Jack Nicklaus, golf’s all-time major champion, awaited with a handshake and words of praise. “I think that great players are ones who rise to the occasion and are ones who know how to play coming down the stretch in important events,” Nicklaus said. “[Scheffler is] a great player. I mean, look at the record that he has had the last few years. It’s unbelievable.”
Scheffler’s Winning Streak Shows No Signs of Slowing
Scheffler’s victory at The Memorial marks his 16th PGA Tour title since February 2022, a blistering run that has turned heads across the golf world. What’s striking is how effortlessly he seems to play when he’s on his game. Fairways and greens? Usually hit. Trouble? Rarely finds himself in it.
His consistency is remarkable, and with it comes a mental toughness that Nicklaus himself couldn’t help but admire. “I don’t think I played nearly as well as he played,” Nicklaus said Sunday evening. “He’s playing better than I played and more consistent. He’s just been playing fantastic, and I love watching him play.”
Scheffler took the compliment in stride, a slight smile but no grandstanding. That humility is part of what makes him stand out. Despite his rapid rise, he stays grounded. Faith and family come first. Then, his relentless focus on the task at hand.
The Intensity That Drives Scheffler’s Success
Intensity, Scheffler says, was something he didn’t bring enough of early in his career. He often found himself on the sidelines during the early rounds, saving his fire for the weekend. But champions play every shot like it matters, every round like it’s the last.
“Early in my career I felt like I didn’t bring enough intensity to the first couple rounds,” Scheffler explained. “Like I would bring a lot of intensity on Saturday and Sunday, but I was always kind of on the outside looking in when it came to leaderboards. That’s one thing I think that Tiger was really good at was bringing that level of intensity to each and every shot.”
Scheffler admits he never got to play with Nicklaus, but he imagines the golf legend’s approach was similar. “Each tournament week feels like a marathon, especially when you’re playing a difficult golf course like this,” he said. “So it’s just more important to stay in the proper head space and try and hit shots and then go from there.”
That approach has clearly paid off. The world watches as Scheffler continues to elevate his game, proving he belongs among golf’s elite.
A Closer Look at Scheffler’s Recent Performance
Scheffler’s rise in the last three years is hard to overstate. Here’s a quick snapshot of his key stats during this remarkable period:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| PGA Tour Titles (Since 2022) | 16 |
| Average Driving Accuracy | Around 70% |
| Greens in Regulation | Over 70% consistently |
| Putting Average | Top 15 on Tour |
| Top-10 Finishes (Last 3 Years) | More than 40 |
These numbers don’t just show skill; they show incredible consistency. And consistency, as every golfer knows, wins tournaments.
Nicklaus’s Endorsement: A Seal of Greatness
Jack Nicklaus’s praise carries weight few can match. His words echoed throughout the course Sunday night: “I love watching him play. Whether it’s here or on the television or whatever it is, I love to watch. Anytime he’s playing, I want to watch.”
That’s high praise from a man who set the bar for greatness. It’s a nod that Scheffler’s star isn’t just rising; it’s shining bright.
And while Griffin’s comeback attempt was dramatic and exciting, it was Scheffler’s calm under pressure and rock-solid execution that ultimately won out. It was a fitting end to a tournament that tested nerves and skill alike.
