SCOTTSDALE (Ariz.) – Scottie Scheffler refused the title of WM Phoenix Open Champion. The 26-year old Texan shot 6-under 65 at TPC Phoenix to win the WM Phoenix Open for the second year in a row. Scheffler was able to overcome a star-studded leaderboard as well as a pesky underdog that chased him to victory.
Scheffler stated, “I’m proud to have fought today.” “I didn’t have the best stuff today, but I did my best. Although I couldn’t hit the ball well off the tee my irons weren’t as sharp, I still played a great round.
Scheffler’s total of 19-under 265 was two strokes higher than Nick Taylor. It secured Scheffler his fifth career PGA Tour title, and his first win since April’s Masters. He also climbed back up to the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Scheffler had relinquished No. Rory McIlroy won the FedEx Cup in October by beating Scheffler at the Tour Championship. The world’s No. The likes of world No. 3 Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, and Rickie Fowler were all hot on his heels. It was Canadian Nick Taylor, a Scottsdale transplant, who plays and practices at TPC Scottsdale, and who had never been to the WM Phoenix Open before, who gave the most fight. He had never been better than T-40 in his eight previous tournament starts. He called himself the underdog, and he was ranked No. 223 in the world, he was the party crasher at the$20-million-designated event. Six birdies were made in his 13 first holes. He was unbogey until he missed a par putt of 7 feet at 16. Scheffler was second with 65 and he finished in second place, earning the biggest check of his professional career.
Scheffler was on par on the first three rounds of the par 5’s. He did most of his damage on par 4s where he finished second with a total of 12-under. He managed to win the par 5s in the final round, with a 10-foot birdie at the third. Scheffler was caught by Taylor with a birdie at No. 10 and he dragged his approach to 3 feet. But Scheffler won the tournament by hitting driver with an 8-iron to 22 yards at the par-5 13 th, and rolling in the eagle. Scheffler raised the putter as the ball was still several yards from the cup. He was certain of his accuracy. In delight, he clenched the right fist.
Scheffler was able to overcome his erratic driving style – he didn’t hit his first fairway until the eighth green – and used pinpoint irons and a putter who was friendlier than foe. He was first in Strokes Gained, Tee-to-Green, and SG: Approach to-the-Green and scrambling (14 out of 16).
Scheffler won his maiden title last year, coming from behind by two strokes. Scheffler looked like he would need that two-stroke cushion that he had built up going into the final round. Scheffler saved par at 16 with his clutch par putt, and Taylor missed just moments later. Scheffler increased his lead to two, and he added a birdie on 17 for good measure.
Scheffler was the seventh winner in the tournament’s 87-year history. He joins the likes of Ben Hogan and Jimmy Demaret, Lloyd Mangrum and Arnold Palmer.
Rahm had the chance to reclaim World No. Rahm, who had the chance to reclaim World No. 1, shot 67 and was third five strokes behind. Justin Thomas, the reigning PGA Championship winner, finished fourth with 65. This is the 65 th time he has shot 65 or less since 2015.
Fowler was the 2019 WM Phoenix Open Champion. He made a hole in one at the par-3 7th hole of 216 yards, but then followed it up with back-toback bogeys, and finished T-10.
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By: Adam Schupak
Title: Scottie Scheffler defends title with win at 2023 WM Phoenix Open, will return to world No. 1
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/02/12/pga-tour-scottie-scheffler-2023-wm-phoenix-open/
Published Date: Sun, 12 Feb 2023 23:03:14 +0000
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