Every superhero has an origin story and Scottie Scheffler’s narrative arc can be traced back to November 15, 2020 – a series of events that barely anybody noticed at the time.

Scottie Scheffler shies away from comparisons to Tiger Woods even as the numbers are starting to make that inevitable. Scheffler has been No. 1 in the world longer than anyone since Woods. He is the first player since Woods to have five-plus wins in back-to-back years.

The world No. 1 heads into this week’s Tour Championship with five wins in 18 events this year. But it’s how he fares when he doesn’t come out on top that really explains his brilliance.