GOLF | Just more of the same, says Scheffler on his preparations for the coming year

Scottie Scheffler of the United States speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the Hero World Challenge 2024 at the Albany Golf Course on December 04, 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Scottie Scheffler was both humorous and frank with his replies as the world’s top-ranked golfer spoke to the media ahead of the defence of his crown at the Hero World Challenge that began at Albany on Thursday,

The American, who reaped it rich in 2024, said that there would not be much of a change to his preparations after such an incredible year.

“As 2024 went pretty well, it’s more of just continuing to improve on and enhance the things that we’ve worked on for years now,” said Scheffler.

“Getting better is not something that happens overnight, it takes a lot of time and I still feel like there are areas of my game that I can continue to improve without making drastic changes to the DNA of what I do.”

Queried on his views on the reports of Americans being paid for their services in the Ryder Cup, Scheffler said he had no problem with the idea but added that he was not in the game for the money.

“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t play golf for money. I’ve been playing golf my whole life for free and the money’s just a bonus. If somebody wants to pay us to come out and play, that’s great, I’m not going to say no to it.

“I’m going to do the best I can in my community to steward that money well,” was the matter-of-fact response from a star who led the Tour in earnings this year, raking in more than $29 million in prize money.

At the same time, he also echoed Irishman Rory McIlroy’s view that players were more than willing to pay to be part of the team in the biennial competition between the USA and Europe.

(The writer is in Bahamas at the invitation of Hero MotoCorp)