American Scottie Scheffler made a two-putt on Sunday, as he became the new world No. 1 in golf, thanks to his victory at the World Match-Play Championship (WGC) in Austin, Texas.
Aged 25, the one who dislodges the Spaniard Jon Rahm from the throne is the 25th player to reach this position since the establishment of the classification in 1986.
To do this, the man in shape for this first quarter of 2022, also winner of the Phoenix Open and the Arnold Palmer Invitational, had to succeed in the final of this World Championship, where he had failed last year, beaten on the last step by Billy Horschel.
“
I really don't know what to say.
I'm just very happy.
It was a difficult week, a long week.
I had to find my routine to keep energy.
But I'm pretty exhausted to be honest
,” he said, moved.
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PGA Tour: Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Scheffler got his revenge on the defending champion in 8th the day before, then knocked out former world number one Dustin Johnson in the semi-finals earlier on Sunday.
“
It's a dream come true to play in front of the fans in the city where I studied.
I only have good memories of this course.
I'm still happy to play this tournament there and now even happier to win
it,” he added.
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First victory on the PGA Tour for Scottie Scheffler in Phoenix
Facing his compatriot Kevin Kisner (34th), another specialist in the event for having won it in 2019 after also having stumbled in the final the previous year, Scheffler led from start to finish to win 4 & 3.
He first took advantage of a bogey at No. 2 of his rival, before birdie on the 4th and 6th holes.
With this advantage of 3 up, he then ensured pars, just like his rival, who was never able to close the gap and hope for a comeback.
After taking a four-stroke lead in the 14th with a birdie, Scheffler secured the par in the 15th and the match was sealed.
After six holes, Scheffler was ahead of Kisner by 3.
On the 14th hole, he birdied a 15-foot putt to lead 4-4 and win the match.
“He plays incredible golf.
I knew I had to give my best,
Against Johnson, in the semis, Scheffler took a 4up lead at 8 holes and 5 up at No. 11, but Johnson came back strong with four straight birdies at Nos. 12-15, leaving Scheffler with a 1-up lead. Scheffler, however, hit a 6-yard putt at the No. 16 to increase his lead and then won the match on the par-3 No. 17.