Scottie Scheffler – new world number one following Matchplay win
Scottie Scheffler – faces media after his win
A little more than two years after joining the PGA Tour and with just three PGA Tour titles to his name, Scottie Scheffler has become the world number one male golfer following his win in this week’s WGC Dell Technologies Match Play Championship in Austin in Texas.
25-year-old Scheffler’s graduation to the top of the game has been driven by his remarkable consistency since joining the PGA Tour in late 2019 including being twice runner-up and once third in addition to his three victories since finishing runner-up in this same event twelve months ago. The three victores have come in his last five starts.
Having defeated former world number one Dustin Johnson 3&1 in this morning’s semi-finals, Scheffler set about demolishing his rival Kevin Kisner in the 18-hole final, racing to a 3-up lead through the opening 6 holes and never losing a hole on his way to a 4&3 victory.
“Definitely a lot of emotion coming off the green today,” said Scheffler when asked about the emotions he was feeling. “It’s been kind of a crazy past few months. I got my first win in Phoenix, and then I guess this is my third now, and golly, what a long week.
“I really don’t know how to describe the emotion. I’ve thought about winning this tournament ever since last year. It left kind of a poor taste in my mouth getting so close and ultimately coming up short. So it feels really good to finish the job this time around.
“I really don’t know what to say. My head is kind of spinning right now, to be honest with you. I’m obviously pretty happy, and I really can’t put into words what it felt like after Kevin conceded my six-inch putt or whatever.
“I would say this week it’s definitely got a special place in my mind and heart. I’ve got a lot of good memories being here in college. It’s been a long journey to this point.
“I had some pretty low points in college where I really fought my swing and I fought some injuries. I fought a lot of stuff during college.
“To be out here and win this golf tournament in front of the fans down here is really special.
“Like I said, I always dreamed of playing in this tournament, and just to be out here was a treat, and to be able to play seven rounds and finish and win is really special.”
For Kisner, it was, remarkably, his third appearance in the final of this event having won in 2019 and finished runner-up in 2018. He defeated Canadian Corey Conners in this morning’s semi final to advance to the final.
Kisner had earlier staged a remarkable recovery to defeat the only Australian to make this phase, Adam Scott, in the opening round of the knock-out matches after being three down with four to play.
In the playoff for third and 4th Corey Conners defeated Dustin Johnson 3 &1.
