(Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida) Already at the top of the world rankings, Scottie Scheffler added another layer to his legend by winning the PGA Players Championship on Sunday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Scheffler became the first player in 50 years to win this tournament two years in a row, after matching the greatest comeback in history.
Scheffler made an eagle at the fourth pennant and had a sequence of four birdies in five holes to record a card of 64 (-8). It was the best final round for a tournament winner, tied with Davis Love III in 2003.
Scheffler won by one stroke, but he had to wait until the last putt of the day before popping the champagne.
Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark all had chances to force overtime, but failed to birdie the 18the hole on the TPC Sawgrass course.
Clark was last in sequence. He was faced with a putt from a distance of about 18 feet and his ball entered the left side of the hole before exiting to the right.
“I don’t know how that putt didn’t go in,” Clark observed. Even when it hit the lip of the hole, I thought the ball was going to fall. I was devastated. »
Scheffler, who entered the final round five shots behind, was on the practice tees when he was told he was once again the champion of this event.
It’s already difficult to win the Players Championship once. To have managed to win it twice in a row is extremely special. I’m very grateful.
Scottie Scheffler
This was no ordinary week. Scheffler suffered neck problems in the second round and shot a 69. He looked out of contention Saturday afternoon, but finished his round with three birdies in a row.
He then delivered a masterpiece on the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass. He tied Justin Leonard (1998) for the biggest comeback in the final round.
“I am a very competitive player. I didn’t want to give up on the tournament, Scheffler said. I did what I could to stay in the race until my neck felt better. Today I felt very good. »
Scheffler did not commit any bogey in his last 31 holes and he experienced an intense last hour, while four players from top 10 world were in the race.
They all had the opportunity to win.
Schauffele, who entered the final round with a one-shot lead, was still in control until he missed his tee shot at the 14e and 15e holes. He missed a birdie opportunity at the spectacular 17e hole to play 70.
“My father told me a long time ago to commit, execute and accept. I’m digesting a big dose of acceptance right now, expressed Schauffele. I tried to commit myself, I executed certain shots poorly and I’m here accepting it. »
Harman stayed in contention long enough to have a chance to win, but he missed a birdie opportunity at the 16the hole and he signed a card of 68.
Clark also made a late surge. He narrowly missed an eagle at 16e pennant, but he made a birdie at 17e. His card of 69 proved insufficient.
Scheffler finished the tournament with a cumulative score of -20 and pocketed US$4.5 million.
Corey Conners finished tied for 11the rank following a round of 68 and he was the highest ranked Canadian. His compatriots Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor shared 26e place.