It was a masterful performance from the reigning Masters Champion as Scottie Scheffler claimed The Players Championship Sunday for his sixth PGA Tour victory in 27 starts dating back to last season.
On TPC Sawgrass, Scheffler carded 5 consecutive birdies in the midst of a memorable final round to take a six-shot lead on the way to a 3 under par 69 and a four-day total of 17 under par 271.
“I had some times throughout week where I didn’t feel like I was swinging my best or playing at a hundred percent, and then I would just kind of wait and pick my moments, and fortunately, I got kind of hot in spurts in each of my rounds, whether it was my back nine on first round or 8 through 12 this afternoon. I just found a way to choose my moments and get hot here and there and had four just really solid rounds,” said the new world No. 1.
Scottie Scheffler is #1 again after the Players Championship win
Scheffler claimed the top prize of $4.5 million and, with the victory, returned atop the Official World Golf Rankings. His winning margin was 5 shots over Englishman Tyrell Hatton who birdied his last five holes for solo second place.
“I try and do the best I can with what I’ve got. Yeah, obviously it’s worked out nicely in the end this week, but, yeah, I just try my best,” said Hatton, who carded 7 birdies over his final 9 holes and finished at 12 under par while Scheffler was only making the turn.
Viktor Hovland and Tom Hoge wound up 7 shots back in a tie for third place at 10 under, while 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama was alone in 5th place at minus 9.
Australian Min Woo Lee, paired with Scheffler Sunday, was briefly tied for the lead at one point, before finishing 4 over par 76 and in a group of 7 players tied for 6th place at 8 under.
“I’ve been in final groups quite a lot lately, and to be on the PGA Tour in one of the biggest tournaments, it’s awesome. I mean, if I just keep putting myself in those positions, hopefully I can get a Sunday done. But it’s another top-10 finish and I’m really proud. Sundays are just tough,” said Lee.
Scheffler’s family was here – even his 87-year-old grandmother, who followed Scottie most of the day.
‘It’s pretty impressive she’s walking so many holes out here. She’s a trooper. We’ve been coming here to spend time with her for a long time. And I mean, I really don’t know what to say. She’s had a rough last year with Grandpa passing away, and we have an uncle that’s pretty sick, and I’m just happy that we’re able to kind of enjoy all this together,” added Scheffler.
The TOUR heads next to Tampa for the final event of the Florida Swing, the Valspar Championship, where two-time defending champion Sam Burns seeks a three-peat against a stellar field that includes Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
