The Players: Scottie Scheffler still wants to improve after securing No 1 return with TPC Sawgrass victory | Golf News

Scottie Scheffler is still looking to improve after winning The Players by five shots and returning to the world No 1; The 26-year-old said his fall in the Tour Championship last year made his victory at Sawgrass “a lot sweeter”; Jordan Spieth expects his compatriot’s form to continue for a long time

Scottie Scheffler issued an ominous warning to his competitors saying he still hopes to improve after his win at The Players.

Scheffler, whose win at Sawgrass saw him replace Jon Rahm as world No 1, finished five shots ahead of Britain’s Tyrrell Hatton as he claimed his sixth win in the last 13 months.

The 26-year-old’s trophy-laden year has included a victory at The Masters at Augusta National last April and a second win at the WM Phoenix Open.

He said: “I just hope to improve. I just try to get a little bit better at the time, don’t overthink things and fortunately, I have been able to see some good results and enjoy some wins.

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Scheffler sinks a 20ft putt to win the Players at Sawgrass on Sunday

“I feel comfortable with where my game is. I feel like I’m getting better. I’m definitely learning more and the more I’m in contention. I’d say I’m more comfortable knowing what I want to do.

“I get excited for a good hard test. I feel like I can find a way to make pars and hang in there. I challenge the golf course harder. This tournament feels like the main championship for me.”

Scheffler threw away a six-shot lead with one round remaining at the Tour Championship last August and said his disappointment made victory at the Players “all the sweeter”.

Scheffler added: “It’s a very hard sport. I’ve put myself in a position all year to where I have a chance to win the FedExCup, and I can’t get it done. By the time I go home, I’m worn out.”

Scheffler: Losing at Tour Championship made me ‘tired’

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Scheffler was thankful and relieved after his victory in the PGA Tour’s premier event

“I’m mentally and physically weak, emotionally weak. East Lake is quite a challenge for me to handle.

“It’s obviously sad and difficult and I didn’t expect it to end the way it did. But the hard times make the good times sweeter.”

On his success, Scheffler added: “I never think about myself. I just try to stay in my own little bubble. I just keep trying to get better.

“I did a good job being a good junior, then I was a good college player, then I played well on the Korn Ferry Tour.

“I always believed I could come out here and play well on the PGA Tour, but I never expected it. It’s hard to describe the feeling.”

Jordan Spieth, who finished tied for 19th at Sawgrass at six under par, doesn’t expect Scheffler’s form to drop anytime soon.

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Watch how Scheffler chipped in from the rough on the third hole in his final round

He said: “I played against it [Scheffler] a lot in front and continuously he takes really low rounds. He is probably the best player in the world right now. His golf is incredible. His top 10 is off the charts. He just played well.

“He’s really good. He’s got good parents, a good family structure. [Scheffler’s coach] Randy Smith has been around for a long time, with people forever.

“I don’t see that changing. They’re in a good position to be able to continue doing this for a while.”

Watch more PGA Tour action live on Sky Sports Golf from Thursday when the Valspar Championship kicks off in Florida. Early coverage begins at 11:30 a.m.