Golfing glory was on full display last weekend, as Scottie Scheffler raised both arms and punched the air in triumph, and Great Britain and Ireland’s women danced an unbridled jig of delight. In a weekend where four different events of varying monetary value took place, each demonstrated the joy of emerging victorious from the heat of competition.
The FedEx Cup: Where Artifice Meets Athleticism
Scheffler completed his expected victory at the Tour Championship to seal the FedEx Cup, which duly delivered a lorry load of cash. The event, which took place at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, saw Scheffler start on an arbitrary 10 under, while his closest competitor, Collin Morikawa, began at four under. Despite this apparent advantage, the artifice of the season finale is aggravating, as are the outrageous sums of money involved. Scheffler’s on-course earnings totalled £47.4m in 2024, equating to £9,282 for every shot he hit or £631,370 for every tournament played.
However, it is clear that it is the competition rather than financial reward that drives this extraordinary golfer. In his post-round comments, Scheffler spoke about the trophy – one that had eluded him in the previous two years despite starting both of those concluding Tour Championships in pole position. “My goal to start the week was just to have the right attitude and use what I feel like is my best strength, and that’s my mind,” Scheffler said.
A True Champion
The ninth hole of the final round marked a turning point in the tournament. A wild drive on the seventh and a shank out of a bunker at the next had opened up the tournament, and the chasing Morikawa was in with a shout. However, Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, delivered a pep talk on the ninth tee that reset the narrative. Scheffler fired a brilliant tee shot into the par-three green for the first of three successive birdies before an eagle at the 14th.
It was the stuff of a champion of rare quality – perhaps not deserving of such absurd financial rewards, but certainly worthy of huge respect. Scheffler is the undoubted player of the year, having won six other PGA Tour events, including his second major, plus Olympic gold.
The Curtis Cup: A Thrilling Victory for GB&I
In comparison to the FedEx Cup, the Curtis Cup, which took place at Sunningdale Golf Club, felt like a breath of fresh air. The competition, which saw GB&I face off against the United States, was all about the glory of amateur team success. In a thrilling finale, GB&I emerged victorious, defeating their opponents by a single point.
The tournament was marked by outstanding performances from Lorna McClymont and Mimi Rhodes, whose late putts will live long in the memory of the record crowds that assembled at Sunningdale. GB&I’s victory was their ninth in the 43 stagings of the biennial competition against the US.
A Winning Team Spirit
At the heart of GB&I’s success was an indomitable team spirit, fostered by their captain, Catriona Matthew. “What a leader,” Karen Stupples, one of Matthew’s assistants, told me. “She comes over all laid back but inside Catriona is as tough a competitor as they come. She knew the girls, the best combinations, the order to send them out. She was brilliant.”
Matthew’s understated approach belies her true nature as a competitor. Her experience as a professional golfer and captain of the European team at the Solheim Cup has served her well in her role as captain of the GB&I team. Every one of her players contributed to the scoreboard in their thrilling 10½-9½ triumph, with Irishwoman Sara Byrne going unbeaten.
Other Golfing Victories
It has been a week of victories for golfers from around the world. Annabel Dimmock played in the Curtis Cup defeat of 2014 and since turning pro a year later, had only won once. However, last Sunday she came through a sudden death play-off against Pauline Roussin-Bouchard to claim the Women’s Irish Open at Carton House. The Englishwoman with Irish roots has battled back from a career-threatening thumb injury. “I am proud of myself,” she said after collecting a winner’s cheque for £50,500.
Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard was equally emotional with his British Masters victory on the DP World Tour – his first professional triumph. “It’s hard to put into words because it means so much,” he said having sobbed through a television interview. “I’ve had such a slow career but always becoming a little bit better every year. I’ve not won on Challenge Tour and I’d not won anything here, and then winning this tournament is quite, quite special.”
Norgaard’s victory is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. In a sport where success can be elusive, his victory serves as a reminder that hard work and determination can ultimately pay off.