Scottie Scheffler Wins WM Phoenix Open Again, Becomes No. 1 Again
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Scottie Scheffler has claimed the world No. 1 position yet again, and it happened at the very spot that launched his ascent to the top of the men’s professional game in the first place: the WM Phoenix Open.
Aside from the recognition that resulted from a strong 2021 Ryder Cup performance, Scheffler came into the 2022 Phoenix Open without much buzz surrounding his name.
One year later things couldn’t be more different.
Scheffler’s victory at TPC Scottsdale takes him from No. 2 in the world right back to No. 1, past Rory McIlroy. Scheffler held the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for 29 weeks until McIlroy jumped him October.
Scheffler's takeover at the WM Phoenix Open is a true full-circle moment.
The Texan secured his maiden PGA Tour victory in Scottsdale and now he’s defended that pivotal title. It took 71 starts, but the victory last year opened the floodgates: Scheffler went on to win four events in his next seven starts, including his first major championship, the Masters.
Since the Masters, however, Scheffler had been winless. Earlier this week, the University of Texas product expressed a feeling he’s been battling recently during final rounds. That is, being “on the outside looking in.” It’s not to say Scheffler hasn’t been playing solid golf as of late. Out of his six starts in the 2022-23 PGA Tour season, Scheffler has five top-10 finishes.
But on Sunday, Scheffler finally got back into his desired state of mind—he had just the right cushion and confidence to get it done.
“I knew going into today it was going to be a tough day,” Scheffler said. “Jon's playing some of the best golf in the world right now. Nick's a fantastic player and a proven winner out here. There were some other names on the leaderboard like Jordan and Xander.”
Scheffler’s result at TPC Scottsdale took a little bit of luck and a lot more grit, especially with such a stacked leaderboard.
“I knew it was going to take a great round. Nobody was going to give this golf tournament to me. I had to go out and earn it,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler did exactly that, despite not having his best stuff, particularly off the tee. On both Saturday and Sunday, Scheffler only hit five fairways.
“Any time I hit a bad shot it's all about how you respond. Because bad shots are going to come. You're not going to play 72 holes of perfect golf. A lot of it is how you respond. I felt like I did a really good job of that this week,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler came out of the gates with three birdies on TPC Scottsdale’s front nine, but Jon Rahm, Jason Day and others were dropping putts as well. Canada’s Nick Taylor hung tight with the world No. 2 all day, even reaching a share of the lead after a birdie at the 10th.
It was Scheffler’s eagle on the 13th, however, that all but cemented the looming result. From 200 yards out, Scheffler put his approach to 21 feet and sunk the putt to get to 18 under par.
A few forgiving breaks assisted Scheffler’s victory down the stretch. On 14 he launched a wayward drive, but that’s where the rub of the green tends to enter the picture. Scheffler had a clear shot from 192 yards out in the desert, and he hit his approach at the elevated green with a draw. Somehow, Scheffler’s ball stayed at rest on the left edge of the fringe, leaving him 49 feet which he cleaned up nicely for par.
A combination of luck and talent came in clutch again on 16, after Scheffler got relief from the Coliseum boundary when he missed the green to the left. Scheffler chipped up and confidently holed his long range par putt, birdied the drivable 17th, and solidified the victory with a par on 18.
Next, Scheffler will tee it up at Riviera for the Genesis Invitational. The tournament is the third “designated event” of the PGA Tour season, and Tiger Woods will be in the field as well.