The Players: Scottie Scheffler to return to world No 1 after dominant five-shot win at TPC Sawgrass | Golf News

Scottie Scheffler earns $4.5 million and replaces Jon Rahm as world No. 1 after victory at The Players; Tyrrell Hatton secured second after a fine finish at TPC Sawgrass, with Viktor Hovland tied for third alongside Tom Hoge

Scottie Scheffler claimed his sixth PGA Tour title in 13 months and returned to the top of the world rankings with a dominant five-shot victory at The Players.

Scheffler took a second lead on the final day of the PGA Tour’s flagship event and never relinquished the top spot during a thrilling Sunday at TPC Sawgrass, with five consecutive birdies at the turn seeing him pull away from the chasing pack.

The American – who just needs a top-five finish to wrest world No. 1 from Jon Rahm – carded a final round of 69 to end the week on 17 under and secure the $4.5 million jackpot, with Scheffler comfortably ahead of nearest challenger Tyrrell Hatton .

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Tyrrell Hatton made five consecutive birdies to take the clubhouse lead and score a record nine at TPC Sawgrass during the final round.

Hatton closed a sensational back nine of 29 with five consecutive birdies to finish at 12 in, while Ryder Cup teammate Viktor Hovland finished the week two strokes back in tied-three with Tom Hoge and ahead of Hideki Matsuyama in fifth.

Scheffler is a superstar at Sawgrass

Min Woo Lee – playing in the last group – immediately reduced the overnight advantage with a six-foot birdie at the first and then benefited from a drop near the sprinkler head in the rough to scramble par at the next, where Scheffler also made a five after not being able to drop the chip- in from the day before.

Scottie Scheffler played alongside Min Woo Lee on the final day at TPC Sawgrass

Scheffler returned to part of the lead when he missed from five feet to save par in the third, where his playing partner went up and down to save par, although he jumped three clear when Lee had to pitch out of the thick rough and then found. water on the fourth en route to a triple-bogey seven.

Lee scrambled for par on the next two holes and drained a 30-foot birdie at the seventh to briefly get back in two, only for the Australian to bogey the next and find himself four behind when Scheffler chipped off the eighth green.

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Scottie Scheffler birdies the par-three third hole to extend his lead during the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass

Hatton reached the turn-par level but followed up a 20-foot birdie at the 10th by converting from six feet at the driveable 12th, with the Englishman then responding to a missed opportunity from 10 feet at the next by birdieing each of the last five holes. to tie for the best back-nine total in tournament history.

A 10-foot birdie at the end saw Hatton move to 12 under and temporarily in two Scheffler, only for the Masters champion to take advantage of the par-five ninth and convert from 18 feet on the next to jump four out of the field. .

Scheffler two-putted from 70 feet to continue his run on the par-five 11th and holed out from close range on the next driveable to make five consecutive birdies, taking the six ahead, despite having to settle for bogey on 14 after pitching out. from behind the bush.

Two-putt pars over the next three holes kept Scheffler in total control of the tournament heading to the final par-four, where he pitched out after a wayward drive hit the crowd before nailing a 20-foot par-save putt for an impressive seal. victory in style.

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Scottie Scheffler sinks 20ft putt to win 2023 Players Championship to return to top of world rankings

“I did a good job of staying calm, trying not to force things,” Scheffler said. “I got hot in the middle of the round and tried to put it away as early as I could. I just tried to improve, not overthinking things. I saw the result and won and I’m very grateful.”

Hovland threatened to charge for victory when he made four birdies in five of the ninth, only to par the final five holes and stay at 10 under, while Hoge – who broke the course record on Saturday with a 10-under 62 – also had to settle for tied-third after final-hole bogey.

Matsuyama also bogeyed the final hole to card a four-under 68, while Lee carded a four-over 76 on the final day of the event to end the week in a big group tied-six that also contained Justin Rose and Max Homa.

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Max Homa found water on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass effectively ending his chances of winning The Players Championship.

What’s next?

The PGA Tour remains in Florida next for the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Golf Resort, with live preliminary coverage on Saturday from 11.30am on Sky Sports Golf.

Scheffler’s next two starts will see him attempt to defend his title, starting with the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas from March 22-26 before The Masters takes place at Augusta National from April 6-9.