ATLANTA – Scottie Scheffler has been rescheduled for his coronation. The FedExCup’s leader for most of the season, Scheffler, was withdrawing from the field in the second round. This raised the possibility that the TOUR Championship’s 2nd half might be little more than a celebration. Send the balloons back. Save the cake. Friday’s three final holes were a turning point for Xander Schauffele. Without Schauffele, it wouldn’t be a TOUR Championship. Although he may have grew up in Southern California, Schauffele fell in love with East Lake as soon as he arrived here five years ago. He was the winner that year, and has been second in two of the three editions ever since the Starting Strokes format was implemented. After finishing birdiebirdie-eagle on Friday to shoot 63, he’s back in contention. He also shot a back-nine 29. His total 36-hole score of 129 is the lowest among the field. Scheffler began the week two ahead Patrick Cantlay, and was four ahead of Schauffele. After a round of 65, Scheffler was now five shots ahead. Scheffler didn’t make any bogeys Friday, and shot 66. But Schauffele still managed to cut into his lead. It was done in a flash. Scheffler won the three remaining holes. Schauffele, however, shot a 12-foot birdie on 16, a 4-footer at 17 and a 5-foot eagle on the final hole. It was his first 29th hole on East Lake’s back 9 in six years, and he overcame a pedestrian 34 that left him seven behind Scheffler. He said, “I started off to a really bad start and saw lots of 62s & 63s on board. So I just tucked myself and got to work.” Schauffele’s 29 score was the lowest back-nine score of two shots this week. Chef’s kiss. Schauffele did not believe he had changed the tournament’s complexion. Even if the opponent he is chasing once had an advantage that appeared insurmountable, a two-shot deficit does not excite him. “Same old,” Schauffele said. Schauffele said, “It’s only the second day, so playing golf.” He is undoubtedly the best at East Lake. Since 2017, he’s shot 14 more than anyone else. He’s now 43 under par. Why is this so successful? According to him, the course is similar to his game. The course requires proficiency in all aspects and doesn’t reward any one style of play exponentially. He is ranked in the top 40 for all four Strokes Gained categories and doesn’t have a standout strength to overshadow a weakness. He leads the field this week in Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee driving accuracy (he missed one fairway Friday), and second in Strokes Gained Approach. Schauffele was a surprising entrant to East Lake in 2017 when he won the TOUR Championship. He came back strong in the second half. Justin Thomas had won five times in 2017 and he beat him to win the FedExCup. There were separate trophies to be won for the week-long winner and the weekly winner back then. The TOUR Championship title also entitles you to $18 million as FedExCup champion. Schauffele must beat the season’s top player to win a second TOUR Championship. Scheffler is the winner of four titles, including the Masters. He wants to be the first player since Thomas 2017 to win five times including a major and the FedExCup. Scheffler has been the FedExCup leader every week except one since March. Schauffele isn’t a weak player, however, with three career-best wins this season. He won the Olympic medal, the largest prize in golf without prize money, last year. After several close calls, he now wants to win golf’s largest prize. He’s been in the top five of FedExCup rankings in four of his five TOUR seasons. He said that there was a lot at stake and that staying present is the most difficult thing. In this game, looking ahead can be dangerous. Look at the leaderboard. Until Xander Schauffele spoke, it seemed certain that Scottie Scheffler would win.
By: Sean Martin
Title: Xander Schauffele’s strong finish injects drama into TOUR Championship
Sourced From: www.pgatour.com/news/2022/08/26/xander-schauffele-tour-championship-east-lake-golf-course-scottie-scheffler.html
Published Date: Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:30:00 -0400
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