PGA TOUR
WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play
Scheffler Reaches World No. 1 With WGC-Match Play Win
American Scottie Scheffler is golf’s latest world No. 1!
The 25-year-old soared to the top of the game replacing Jon Rahm after claiming the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play with a solid 4&3 win over compatriot Kevin Kisner. It was Scheffler’s maiden WGC title and the victory continues a stunning run of form that includes three PGA Tour wins at his last five starts. Scheffler won the WM Phoenix Open in February and the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month.
Scheffler’s latest win in Match Play format builds his reputation as one of the best head-to-head performers in the game. The gritty American made it to the final at this event last year. Last September, at his maiden Ryder Cup singles match staged at Whistling Straits, Scheffler downed then world No. 1 Rahm with an emphatic 4&3 win.
Scheffler opened his quest to improve on his runner-up effort at this event last year with a 2&1 win over England’s Ian Poulter at the first of three group stage matches. His second round loss to Tommy Fleetwood was his only blemish for the week. The fifth seed then bounced back to trounce Matt Fitzpatrick 5&4 and take his spot in the Round of 16, where he faced defending champion Billy Horschel— the man who outplayed him in the final 12 months ago. And, it was another tight tussle like last year at Austin Country Club with Scheffler taking the match 1Up. Scheffler was pitted against Ireland’s Seamus Power in the Quarterfinal. The pair was all square after 11 holes before Scheffler poured in three birdies in five holes to claim the match 3&2. The win pushed him into the Semifinal against fellow American Dustin Johnson. The former world No. 1 was no match for Scheffler, who reached a 5Up lead after 11 holes. Eventually, Scheffler won 3&1 to move into the Final against Kisner.
Kisner overcame Canada’s Corey Conners 2Up in the Semifinal to become just the third player to reach the Final at least three times since this World Golf Championship began in 1999 joining Tiger Woods and Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy. Kisner won the event in 2019 over Matt Kuchar after being runner up a year earlier against Bubba Watson.
Scheffler began Sunday’s final on the move producing three birdies at the opening six holes to advance to a 3Up lead over Kisner. From there, the University of Texas graduate never looked back. Scheffler maintained his stronghold over Kisner through to the 14th hole where he fired another birdie to go 4Up. Scheffler secured his 4Up victory with a par at the next hole.
Conners defeated Johnson 3&1 in the match for 3rd place.
Adam Scott was the only Australian to make it into the Round of 16. The former Masters champion’s bid to join fellow Aussies Jason Day and Geoff Ogilvy in the event’s winner’s circle was ended by Kisner. Scott held a 3Up lead after 14 holes. Kisner won each of the last four holes to defeat Scott 1Up. Earlier in the week during the three-match group stage Scott enjoyed wins over Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth. The former Masters champion tied his match with Keegan Bradley.
The PGA Tour remains in the Lone Star state for next week’s Valero Texas Open staged at TPC San Antonio. Local favourite Jordan Spieth is the defending champion.
Final Scores
WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play
FINAL
Scottie Scheffler def Kevin Kisner 4&3
3RD PLACE
Corey Conners def Dustin Johnson 3&1
Photo credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
