(Ponte Vedra Beach) The American Scottie Scheffler, leader the day before, was certain of becoming world No. 1 again if he finished in the top 5 of the Players Championship, but he did not miss to make a double blow by winning the event, considered as the 5e Grand Slam, Sunday in Florida.
The 26-year-old golfer dislodges the Spaniard Jon Rahm from the throne, who gave up during the tournament, sick. With the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who has also occupied this seat in recent weeks, it is a game of musical chairs that is repeated at the top of world golf.
This does not detract from the performance of Scheffler, who, one month from putting his title on the line at the Augusta Masters, shines with his regularity in excellence.
He has six victories on the North American PGA Tour since his first win 13 months ago at the Phoenix Open, where he retained his title last month.
The American took control of the Players at the end of the third round with two strokes ahead of the competition. A lead increased to five finally, by returning a card of 69 (five birdies, two bogeys) during his 4e lap, to total -17.
The English Tyrrell Hatton, author of the best score of the day (65), jumped 24 places to finish 2e. American Tom Hoge, who set the course record card (62) the day before, and Norwegian Viktor Hovland share third place.
Ranking after 4e lap (par 72):
- Scottie Scheffler (USA): -17 (68-69-65-69)
- Tyrrell Hatton (England): -12 (72-71-68-65)
- Tom Hoge (USA): -10 (78-68-62-70)
- Viktor Hovland (Norway): -10 (69-71-70-68)
- Hideki Matsuyama (Japan): -9 (74-70-67-68)
- Cameron Davis (Australia): -8 (69-70-67-74)
- Max Homa (USA): -8 (72-72-67-69)
- Im Sung-Jae (South Korea): -8 (75-69-64-72)
- Min Woo Lee (Australia): -8 (68-70-66-76)
- David Lingmerth (Sweden): -8 (72-68-68-72)