WM Phoenix Open: Scottie Scheffler takes on world No. 1 Rory McIlroy with brilliant title defense | Golf News

Scottie Scheffler picked up a fifth PGA Tour victory and first since The Masters with a profitable title protection at TPC Scottsdale; Rory McIlroy completed tied for thirty second and loses world No. 1 rating for the primary time since October

Scottie Scheffler ended Rory McIlroy’s stint on the high of the world rankings after efficiently defending his title with a two-stroke win on the WM Phoenix Open.

Scheffler withstood a frightening problem from enjoying companions Jon Rahm and Nick Taylor in an exciting closing at TPC Scottsdale, with a bogey-free 65 sufficient to earn the American a fifth PGA Tour title and first since April. .

The 26-year-old had an eagle and 4 birdies to finish the week 19 below and comfortably forward of nearest challenger Taylor, who birdied the final to tie Scheffler’s final spherical 65, with Rahm 5 pictures away. tempo in third.

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Scottie Scheffler reacts by profitable the WM Phoenix Open and returning to world no 1 at TPC Scottsdale

The win sees Scheffler turn into the seventh participant to efficiently defend his title in Phoenix and lifts him to fifth within the FedExCup standings, along with his newest success additionally that means he’ll overtake McIlroy – who completed the week tied for thirty second – as world No. 1.

How Scheffler returned to world no 1

Rahm and Taylor instantly halved Scheffler’s in a single day benefit with birdies at first, just for the Masters champion to maneuver from 10 toes to par-four subsequent to revive his two-shot cushion.

Scheffler transformed from an identical distance on the third par 5 to match birdies from his enjoying companions, together with from 20ft by Rahm, then made a vital par-save on the fifth after a poor first putt handed 10 toes from the outlet.

Rahm had swung forwards and backwards from the fifth fairway – having launched behind a tree earlier than birdie the subsequent to maneuver into one in every of Scheffler, with Taylor rolling from 35ft to hitch the Spaniard tied for second.

Nick Taylor combined seven birdies with only one bogey on the ultimate day

Taylor scrambled par within the seventh and took second when Rahm bogeyed the subsequent, the Canadian becoming a member of Scheffler to birdie from shut vary within the ninth to remain one behind on the flip.

Scheffler misplaced his absolute benefit when Taylor kicked a nook within the tenth from three toes and birdied the fifth of the spherical, whereas Rahm needed to make a 20-footer simply to save lots of par on the subsequent and keep inside three of the spherical. ‘advance.

Jon Rahm was aiming for a 3rd PGA Tour win of the 12 months

Taylor took benefit on the thirteenth par 5 however discovered himself behind when Scheffler drained a 30ft eagle to get to 18 below, whereas Rahm birdied then recovered a par on the fifteenth after practically getting out of the world of dropping.

Scheffler acquired aid close to the stand on the par three sixteenth and recovered from a medium chip to nail a 15-foot putt for par, which was sufficient to increase his lead when Taylor didn’t mount and descend from the left of the betting space. .

Scottie Scheffler’s win is his fifth PGA Tour title and first in 10 months

One other birdie on the seventeenth truthful par-four prolonged Scheffler’s cushion to the ultimate gap, the place a par was sufficient to earn his first victory of the season and make him the primary participant since Hideki Matsuyama to win back-to-back victories on the ‘Phoenix Open. .

Taylor birdied the final to assert second place in solo and Rahm – one in every of three gamers who might end the week as world No. 1 – completed third with a 3 below 68, whereas 4 birdies within the closing six holes propelled Justin Thomas to fourth place.

Jason Day’s straight 68 over the weekend noticed the Australian break into the highest 5 and England’s Tyrrell Hatton was within the group one other shot again, whereas a hole-in-one on the seventh par three from Rickie Fowler helped him. end in a tenth share on 10 below.

Scheffler “proud” to be again at no 1

Scheffler’s profitable title protection comes on the similar venue the place he received his decisive PGA Tour title 12 months in the past, the newest victory seeing him return to the world No. 1 rating he held for 30 weeks after his WGC-Dell Applied sciences match play victory final March to McIlroy’s profitable CJ Cup title protection in October.

“I am simply pleased with the best way I fought at this time,” Scheffler stated. “I did not have my finest gear, however I labored on it. I wasn’t hitting nicely off the tee, my irons weren’t as sharp, however I performed a great recreation of golf at this time.

“I began to construct momentum early at this time and noticed some putts, so I am actually grateful for the outcome. He [returning to world No 1] it feels good !”

And after?

The PGA Tour then heads to California for the Genesis Invitational, the place 23 of the world’s high 25 and all high FedExCup ranked gamers are set to characteristic on the Riviera Nation Membership.

Match host Tiger Woods will headline the sector as he makes his first official begin since lacking out on the reduce on the Open in July, with the occasion his first look in an occasion not main on the PGA Tour because the Zozo Championship in October 2020.

Watch the Genesis Invitational all through the week stay on Sky Sports activities. Advance protection begins Thursday from 2.30pm on Sky Sports activities Golf, earlier than full protection from 7pm.

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