At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Scottie Scheffler decided to ease up on his putting and it paid off with a dominant win.
Known for his excellent play from tee to green, Scheffler didn't miss a single putt within 15 feet over the weekend. He ended a challenging Sunday at Bay Hill with a 6-under 66, the best score of the final round and a five-shot victory.
Scheffler's win margin was the largest at Bay Hill since Tiger Woods in 2012.
U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark commented on Scheffler's potential, saying that if he starts putting well, it would be quite a challenge for his competitors.
The reference to the 'strokes gained' statistic, which is considered highly accurate, highlights Scheffler's usual struggles in putting, especially evident at the Memorial last year where he lost 8.5 shots to the field and missed a playoff by one shot.
Rory McIlroy noted that Scheffler's ball-striking abilities are exceptional and if he improves his putting, he would be a formidable opponent.
Scheffler's performance was simply unstoppable.
He started strong with a 12-foot birdie putt and maintained a three-shot lead at the turn, leaving his competitors struggling to keep up.
Scheffler continued to excel, making key par saves and sinking a 35-foot birdie on the 15th hole with visible excitement.
Scheffler acknowledged that he had been trying too hard with putting and expressed frustration over not performing at his best despite knowing his potential. He emphasized that he has had good putting periods in his career and was pleased with not letting missed putts affect him this week.
Scheffler recognized the importance of not letting missed putts affect him and was pleased with his ability to maintain composure.
Scheffler finished at 15-under 273 and claimed $4 million from the $20 million purse of the tournament. This marked his seventh career win, all against strong competition.
This victory comes a week before Scheffler defends his title at The Players Championship, which was his last official PGA Tour win.
Scheffler's struggle with putting over the past year was alleviated by switching to a mallet model this week and focusing on the process rather than the result.
Both aspects of his game were outstanding.
Scheffler credited his success to staying focused and determined.
Scheffler discussed the importance of quieting the mind and staying positive, particularly amidst constant questions about his putting. He made sure not to let his putting performance overshadow his exceptional play from tee to green.
Ireland's Shane Lowry, who shared the lead at the start of the day, recognized Scheffler's world-class performance. Lowry finished third after a strong finish with three birdies and seven pars over the last 10 holes.
Clark tried his best to stay close, and he was two shots behind after eight holes. However, things changed quickly. Clark hit the ball into the rough and got a bogey on the ninth hole. After that, he didn't make another birdie until the 16th hole.
Clark birdied the 18th hole as a consolation prize. He earned $2.2 million as the runner-up.
Zalatoris and Russell Henley both scored 72 and tied for fourth place. Zalatoris secured a spot in the British Open for having the lowest score among players not already exempt.
Scheffler’s lead in the world ranking increased even more over McIlroy, who had a chance to overtake him with a victory at Bay Hill. McIlroy started the final round four shots behind and promptly shot 41 on the front nine. He shot 76 and tied for 21st.
“This is a super tough golf course and to be 6 under today going out with the lead and just sort of lapping the field is super impressive,” McIlroy said. “But we all knew that he had this in him.”
This should at least stop questions about Scheffler’s putting. He led the field in the most vital putting statistic on Sunday and ranked fifth for the week. This came after he indicated earlier in the week how much the constant questions were grating on him.
“If I get asked constantly about putting, sometimes it feels like I’m not playing well. But I’m playing pretty darn good,” he said on Monday while at the TPC Sawgrass.
Bay Hill was the perfect reminder.
“It had been awhile since I won,” Scheffler said. “There had been a lot of chatter about my game and the state of where it was at, and so it was nice to kind of come in here with a good mental attitude and to perform well under pressure.
“And I think today’s round was really special for me going forward.”
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
TUCSON, Ariz. — Joe Durant seized the opportunity presented by Stewart Cink’s collapse in the latter half of the round to win the Cologuard Classic on Sunday for his fifth PGA Tour Champions triumph. He finished with a 4-under 67 and defeated three players by two strokes.
The 59-year-old Durant bounced back from a bogey on the 10th hole with an eagle on the 11th and then parred the remaining seven holes. His total score was 13-under 200 at La Paloma Country Club.
The 50-year-old Cink, who was two strokes ahead at the beginning of the day after rounds of 62 and 69 in his sixth senior start, struggled over a four-hole stretch and ended up with a 73 to tie for seventh at 9 under.
Steven Alker (65), Jerry Kelly (67), and 2020 winner Kevin Sutherland (68) all tied for second place. Former champion Steve Stricker dropped into a tie for 32nd at 4 under after shooting 75.
Durant earned $330,000. He won four times on the PGA Tour.
