Scottie Scheffler on Sunday once again emerged victorious in one of the most difficult golf tournaments of the year, and the legend who hosted it had a great message for the World No. 1 golfer.
Scheffler finished 8-under to hold off Collin Morikawa and win the 2024 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. Jack Nicklaus designed the golf course and founded the Memorial in 1976. The tournament has since become one of the most challenging tests in golf, and this year was no exception.
After Scheffler sank a 5-foot downhill putt to finish one shot ahead of Morikawa, he walked off the green to receive the traditional congratulatory handshake from Nicklaus. The 18-time major champion had a simple three-word message for Scheffler.
“You’re a survivor,” Nicklaus told Scheffler.
A moment Scottie Scheffler will never forget with Jack Nicklaus 🤝 pic.twitter.com/AJ87gC7IAn
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) June 9, 2024
Scheffler laughed and told Nicklaus he “made this place brutal today.”
Scheffler entered the final round with a 4-shot lead and shot 2-over 74. On a Sunday where only six players shot under par, that was enough for Scheffler’s fifth victory of the season.
In 2021, Scheffler missed a 6-foot putt on the 18th hole at the Memorial and cost himself a chance of going to a playoff. Nicklaus told Scheffler then that Scheffler will make that putt someday. Scheffler said it was a moment and message he did not forget.
“I remember shaking Mr. Nicklaus’ hand a few years ago and he told me I didn’t make the putt today, but one day I’ll make the putt, be able to shake his hand. He was right.”
-Scottie Scheffler after winning #theMemorial at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village pic.twitter.com/uDkId21cEq
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) June 9, 2024
Of course, you could also say Scheffler is a “survivor” of all the off-course distractions he has dealt with in recent weeks. The fact that he has continued to win despite being arrested in a crazy situation is truly remarkable.
