PGA TOUR
WM Phoenix Open
Scheffler Rises to Win the Phoenix Open
Scottie Scheffler poured in a 26-foot birdie putt at the third playoff hole to claim his breakthrough win on the PGA Tour at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. The 25-year-old American scored his maiden PGA Tour title after overcoming 2021 Ryder Cup teammate Patrick Cantlay in extra holes.
Scheffler’s victory seemed unlikely on Friday night given he beat the cut number by just one shot. The 2021 PGA Tour Rookie of The Year fired an incredible 9-under 62 on Saturday to move into contention. The Texas resident is earning a reputation for having the ability to produce super low rounds. Remember, he carded a remarkable 12-under 59 at The Northern Trust in 2020 for the 12th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history. Scheffler backed up from his brilliant Saturday score in Arizona with a final round 4-under 67 that included eight birdies. The world No. 15 rose to the top of the leaderboard to join Cantlay when he closed out regulation play on Sunday with four birdies over his final six holes. It was his first playoff on the PGA Tour. At the first extra hole, both players burnt the edge of the cup with their birdie attempts. Then, both players were forced to burry clutch par putts after missing the green with their approaches. At the third extra hole, Cantlay was unable to match Scheffler’s birdie. It was Cantlay’s first-ever appearance at this event in Phoenix. Cantlay was trying to win his fourth title in his last 12 starts. The reigning FedExCup champion produced a final round 4-under 67. Both Scheffler and Cantlay finished at 16-under. With his win, Scheffler becomes the 5th first-time winner this season.
Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele and Sahith Theegala took a share of third place at 15-under. Defending champion Koepka, was looking to join Phil Mickelson, Mark Calcavecchia, Gene Littler and Arnold Palmer as three-time winners in Phoenix. The 31-year-old finished in a flurry with birdies at the last two holes for a final round 2-under 69. Schauffele was searching for his fourth PGA Tour win. The 28-year-old gained his 12th top-3 result since his last win at the 2019 Sentry Tournament of Champions. The Tokyo Gold Medalist closed with a 3-under 68. Schauffele missed a birdie putt from nine feet at the 72nd hole to join the playoff. Theegala was hoping to become the first sponsor’s exemption to win on the PGA Tour since Martin Laird in 2020. The PGA Tour Rookie was in the thick of the action until a bogey at the 17th hole dropped him out of the co-lead. Theegala signed for a 1-under 70.
World No. 1 Jon Rahm continued his run of producing consistently high performances. The Arizona State University product ran T10 at 12-under and has finished outside the top-10 just once in his last nine PGA Tour starts.
Charles Howell III made his 600th career PGA Tour appearance this week. The 42-year-old American becomes the 69th player to reach that milestone. The three-time PGA Tour winner failed to make the weekend and improve on his record of 461 made cuts.
Adam Scott was the best-placed Australian. The former Masters champion finished at 5-under for the event and in a tie for 38th place.
The PGA Tour returns to California for this week’s The Genesis Invitational at The Riviera Country Club. America’s Max Homa is the defending champion.
Final Scores
WM Phoenix Open
1. Scottie Scheffler -16
2. Patrick Cantlay -16
T3. Sahith Theegala -15
T3. Xander Schauffele -15
T3. Brooks Koepka -15
T6. Billy Horschel -14
T6. Alex Noren -14
T8. Justin Thomas -13
T8. Hideki Matsuyama -13
Australians
T38. Adam Scott -5
T58. Matt Jones -1
MC. Lucas Herbert
MC. Cam Davis
MC. Craig Hocknull
Photo credit: Christian Petersen /Getty Images
