Scottie Scheffler, 26, has regained world number 1 after defending his title at the Phoenix Open, where just one year ago this Monday the American debuted his record on the PGA circuit. That day began two prodigious months for him because he achieved another three victories, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Match-Play World Cup and, above all, his first Grand Slam at the Augusta Masters.
Obviously, that streak of play and results catapulted him to the world throne, which he will access again this Monday, displacing Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.
Jon Rahm, results
Scheffler had not lifted any trophy since he donned the precious green jacket reserved for the Masters champion in April 2022.
The North American started the last lap with a two-stroke lead over Jon Rahm, who would also have regained world number 1 if he had won at the TPC in Scottsdale, the city where he lives. Scheffler, Rahm and Canadian Nick Taylor, world number 223, played the stellar match in pursuit of the title.
The champion was the American because he showed extraordinary solidity throughout the round, unperturbed despite the harassment of Taylor, who was only one shot behind Scottie until the 15th hole. Rahm, 28, was left with few options when Scheffler holed out an eagle at 13 and left the Basque golfer to four shots.
Forced to attack par 5, Jon went overboard at 15 but was able to salvage par and still held a silver lining. However, Scheffler delivered the final blow on the 16th, when the American saved par with a great putt and his two rivals made bogeys that gave him more peace of mind to face the final two holes.
Jon Rahm Rodríguez (Barrika, November 10, 1994) is a Spanish golfer. Already number 1 in the world rankings of amateur golf, for a record 60 weeks, he reached the first place of the official ranking after winning the Memorial Tournament in July 2020, then returning to occupy the top position following the victory of the U.S. Open in June 2021: he was the first Spaniard to triumph in the prestigious tournament.
