Scottie Scheffler closed out 2024 in style, securing his second consecutive Hero World Challenge title and the ninth win of the year. With this victory, Scheffler joins an elite group, matching Tiger Woods and Viktor Hovland as back-to-back champions of the event.

Scheffler shot a final-round of nine-under-par 63 to win the tournament by six strokes over Tom Kim, finishing with a winning score of 25-under-par at Albany Golf Club. Reflecting on the accomplishment, Scheffler emphasized the significance of a consistent and disciplined approach.

“We did a lot of good things on the golf course this week,” Scheffler said.

“Only two bogeys for the week and a good amount of birdies. Eliminating mistakes and staying in position made a big difference.”

Winning in the presence of tournament host Tiger Woods added a surreal touch to the moment.

“It’s pretty special,” Scheffler remarked. “It’s surreal to be in the same room with Tiger, let alone have him hand you a trophy. Supporting his foundation through this tournament is always an honor.”

For Scheffler, the win capped a remarkable year.

“It’s been a fun year,” he reflected. “I’ve been fortunate to get wins out of some really good golf. It’s been surreal and I’m very grateful.”

One aspect of his life that garnered significant attention this year was becoming a father for the first time. While some speculated it might impact his game, Scheffler proved otherwise.

“I’m not out here to prove anyone right or wrong,” he said. “Being a dad has been a ton of fun. My little guy is like our buddy, traveling with us and creating amazing memories.”

Known for his relentless pursuit of improvement, Scheffler embraced changes to his game throughout the year, including implementing a new putting grip during the Hero World Challenge.

“Competition is a different animal, so testing it out here was valuable,” he explained. “I felt really comfortable, and it’s something I’ll likely stick with next season.”

Despite his numerous accolades, Scheffler insists he doesn’t focus on records or legacy. “I play because I love the competition,” he said.

“I’m always trying to get better and get the most out of myself. Records and achievements aren’t what drive me.”

Scheffler’s year was punctuated by standout performances, including a second green jacket at the Masters, a victory at THE PLAYERS Championship, and a gold medal at the Olympics. When asked about his most memorable moments, he pointed to the back nine at the Olympics, where he shot a stunning 29 to clinch the title.

Looking ahead to 2025, Scheffler remains focused on preparation and staying grounded. “I’m excited for next season, but for now, I’m looking forward to rest and spending time at home,” he said.

Tom Kim secured solo second at 19-under, matching Scheffler with 27 birdies for the week. The 21-year-old showcased his scoring prowess with a third-round 62, the lowest in tournament history for that round. This marks Kim’s second top-10 finish at the Hero World Challenge in as many starts.

Justin Thomas continued his consistent play at Albany, finishing third at 18-under. With this result, Thomas now boasts top-five finishes in his last five appearances at the event.

Akshay Bhatia, at 22, impressed in his debut, finishing fourth at 15-under. The young left-hander capitalized on the par-5s, playing them 11-under for the week, tied for the best in the field.

Keegan Bradley, returning to the event for the first time since 2018, rounded out the top five at 14-under.

Thai star Jeeno Thitikul finished eagle-birdie to win the CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday, edging American Angel Yin by one shot in the LPGA Tour’s US$11 million season-ending showpiece.

Following an exciting back-and-forth battle at Tiburón Golf Club, it was Thitikul who emerged victorious with a total of 22-under-par 266 (71-67-63-65). Her fourth career LPGA Tour victory was worth US$4 million, the largest first-place prize in women’s golf.

Thitikul and Yin began the final day tied for the lead on 15-under-par and the duo fought out a see-saw battle, which seemed to swing the American’s way when she birdied the par-three 16th hole to lead by two shots.

But the 21-year-old Thai player found the green in two shots at the par-five 17th hole and sank the eagle putt from 15 feet to tie Yin, who missed birdie from inside five feet. Both players found the fairway off the tee at the par-four closing hole, and it was Thitikul who hit first and knocked her approach shot to within five feet.

After Yin narrowly missed her birdie attempt from 25 feet, Thitikul drained hers for the biggest win of her career, and her first individual title since the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in September 2022. Thitikul won the pairs format Dow Championship with her good friend Ruoning Yin of China in June this year.

“Last year I put too much pressure on myself and I'm not having fun on the course, not smiling, not being myself when I play. I just realized, I think, beginning of this year that I was injured and after the injury I had a lot of doubt in myself,” shared Thitikul.

“Today, standing here with the trophy, it's more than I can ask for. And then I knew that I have come close to lifting lots of trophies but haven't done it yet, but having done it here is a kind of release and I can put everything down and can breathe now,” she added.
The US$4 million winner’s purse wasn’t the only seven-figure windfall for Thitikul during the week of the CME Group Tour

Championship. It was officially announced on Tuesday that she had won the 2024 Aon Risk Reward Challenge, a season-long award that comes with a US$1 million prize.

“Like I said, my million is good enough, at Aon. I think I'm at the point that I'm not really thinking about the prize money that much,” said Thitikul. “Like Lydia Ko said at Grant Thornton, we're not here for the prize money. We’re here for growing the game of golf more.”

While Yin was disappointed to miss out on her second career LPGA Tour victory after such an incredible week of golf, the 26-year-old’s runner-up result was her best of the 2024 season and was worth US$1 million. Sunday’s result and the entire week at the CME Group Tour Championship was about more than just the money for Yin, as she had to sit out the early part of this season with an ankle injury.

“I've learned that I just need to believe in myself, and that's what I did. And then that's it. Just need to keep doing that, believe in myself,” said Yin.

Two-time CME Group Tour Championship winner Lydia Ko of New Zealand fired a closing nine-under-par 63 to finish in solo third place on 17-under-par overall, while three-time 2024 winner Ruoning Yin was fourth a shot further back. Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States tied for fifth on 15-under-par alongside Korean Narin An, while An’s compatriot and defending champion Amy Yang settled for joint eighth with a 13-under-par total.

Thitikul also won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 Money Title with US$6,059,309 in season earnings, breaking Lorena Ochoa’s single-season earnings record by more than US$1.6 million. She is also the 2024 Race to the CME Globe champion.

Ayaka Furue claimed Vare Trophy honours with a season average of 69.988, becoming the first Japanese player to do so. Her compatriot Mao Saigo took home the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year award following a consistent season.

Malaysian golf fans can anticipate an exciting display of match play action with the inaugural Albatross Cup, scheduled for January 6-7, 2025. This unique event will feature two 12-man teams of the nation’s top professionals, captained by current and former stars Gavin Green and Danny Chia, at the highly-regarded Seri Selangor Golf Club.

Modeled after the Ryder Cup, the Albatross Cup has no prize money at stake, focusing instead on pride, honor, and competitive spirit—with the added bonus of securing bragging rights as the first champions.

Tournament Director Adnan Othman described the event as a milestone for the sport, saying, “The Albatross Cup represents a major milestone for Malaysian golf, bringing together our country's top talents in a format that promotes team spirit and competitive excellence.”

Green, the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, sees the event as a celebration of Malaysian golf at its highest level.

“The Albatross Cup is about celebrating Malaysian golf at its highest level. I’m excited to lead such a talented team and can’t wait to see how we rise to the challenge,” said Green, who currently competes on the DP World Tour.

Chia, a two-time Asian Tour champion and the first Malaysian to make the cut in a men’s Major (2010 Open Championship), emphasized the depth of talent in the country.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the depth of talent we have in Malaysia while creating an exciting spectacle of golf for fans. I’m confident that Team Danny will do their best to emerge as the inaugural Albatross Cup champions,” he noted.

The Albatross Cup teams were finalized today during a live draft at Seri Selangor Golf Club, following earlier announcements of vice-captains and initial picks.

Team Rosters:
• Team Gavin Green:
Captain: Gavin Green
Vice-Captain: Jeremiah Kim
Players: Galven Green, Paul San, Sharifuddin Ariffin, Marcus Lim, Nasrullah Zulkifli, Danial Faidz, Casper Loh, Affif Fathi, Jaydon Pang, Nicholas Fung
Reserve: Zia Izzuddeen
Non-Playing Vice-Captain: Keegan Kam

• Team Danny Chia:
Captain: Danny Chia
Vice-Captain: Khor Kheng Hwai
Players: Ervin Chang, Edven Ying, Syahiran Syakir, Amir Nazrin, Fakhrul Akmal, Malcolm Ting, Nor Heikal Hadi, Daeng Abdul Rahman, Tony Lam, Kenneth da Silva
Reserve: Wilson Choo
Non-Playing Vice-Captain: Chong Chee Meng

The two-day event will test players across 22 matches in three formats, demanding a mix of strategy, teamwork, and individual brilliance. Seri Selangor’s challenging layout, with its tight fairways and deceptive greens, adds an extra layer of excitement.

“We at Seri Selangor are extremely proud and excited to welcome the Albatross Cup and look forward to two days of intense competition between the very talented teams, led by two icons of Malaysian golf,” said Tn Hj Mohd Zubir bin Idrus, CEO of PKNS Golf Management Services. “I can assure you that our golf course will be in tip-top shape and provide a fitting challenge for our country’s top golfers.”

Schedule:
• Day 1 (January 6):
o Morning: 5 Four-Ball Matches (Best Ball)
o Afternoon: 5 Foursomes Matches (Alternate Shot)

• Day 2 (January 7):
o 12 Singles Matches

Adding to the event's prestige, MST Golf is sponsoring team and referee attire. For live updates and coverage, fans can follow @albatrosscupmy on Instagram.

Patrick Reed stormed to a runaway victory in the US$2 million Link Hong Kong Open today – to claim the prestigious event for the first time and register his first victory in four years.

After his off-the-charts 11-under-par 59 yesterday here at the Hong Kong Golf Club, he signed off with an equally fine 66 today to finish on 22-under, for a convincing three-stroke victory over New Zealand’s Ben Campbell, the defending champion.

Campbell ended his excellent defence with a 65, while Japan’s Kazuki Higa shot a 63 to claim third, another shot back. Australian Wade Ormsby, a winner here in 2017 and 2020, shared fourth with Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana. They both fired 65s.

Hong Kong’s top golfer Taichi Kho returned a 66 to tie for sixth – his best result of the year, and his best finish in an event which means so much to him.

Any concerns that Reed, who started the day three ahead, would have difficulty shooting another low round following yesterday’s heroics were quickly dispelled when he birdied four in a row from the third for a six-shot cushion. And at the turn he had a gaping seven-shot advantage to be in complete control. Dropped shots on 15 and the last while his nearest challengers were making birdies closed the gap, but it remained a foregone conclusion.

“Nothing like coming to a place that I know pretty well and love the golf course,” said the 34-year-old Texan, who plans to play in the final two events of the season: next week’s International Series Qatar and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the week after.

“I love how it makes me think about golf shots and you have to be creative around this place. So, to be able to come out and play the way like I did on the weekend. I mean, it always helps shooting 59 yesterday, but the biggest thing, the hardest part, was today.”

It is his maiden title on the Asian Tour and also his first victory since the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour in 2021 – not including his two team wins with 4Aces GC on the LIV Golf League in 2023.

He added: “Kind of going out there and forgetting about the 59 and going out, even though I had a three-shot lead, to try to expand on that. And the goal was to go out there and make a couple birdies early quickly, get up on top, so then on the back nine I could just kind of hit fairways and middle of the greens.

“When I was able to birdie 13 there, then it just kind of got into really boring golf which led to two mistakes. But, you know, the last one, I was not ever going to take that on.”

Campbell had a phenomenal back nine, making five birdies but Reed was simply too far ahead.

“Another frustrating day with the putter,” he said.

“I hit it really well but yeah, for the weekend the putter was pretty cold unfortunately. Obviously, it’s still a good result, but just frustrating it was not to be. I feel like I should have been right up there and pushing Patrick. So, yeah, it is what it is, but it was close.”

Hong Kong Golf Club Ambassador Kho finished in a blaze of glory by nearly holing his second shot on the par-four 18th, where he tapped in for a birdie. It completed a strong finish, as he was not in the running for much of the day but came back by also making three successive birdies from 13.

Kho, who has only just returned following a back in injury, said: “Feels great. Had so many friends and family out there, and so much credit goes to them, and I felt so supported out there. So yeah, super happy with this performance. It's been a while since I played on the Asian Tour, so overall a really good week.

“It feels so great to have so many people I know out here, and even people I don't know, I just feel so supported out here. And yeah, even though Patrick's running away with it a bit, I felt like it was a small win for me today, and I felt like I made a lot of good progress this week.”

Justin Rose from England, the winner here in 2015, fired a 67 and ended in a tie for 18th on 13 under.