Scottie Scheffler returns to World No.1, defends WM Phoenix Open, wins $3.6m!

Scottie Scheffler says he can't put it into perspective after he defended his title at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, returned to No. 1 in the world rankings and collected a cheque for $3.6m. 

Scheffler began the day at TPC Scottsdale with a two stroke advantage on the field after moving to 13-under with a 67 on Saturday. 

Spain's Jon Rahm was also bidding to de-throne Rory McIlroy whilst Canada's Nick Taylor, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Jason Day were all in the mix before play began. 

Related: Rickie Fowler sends the crowd wild with an ace in Phoenix

But it was the reigning Masters champion who claimed the first full-field elevated event with a two-stroke victory.

Scheffler, 26, was faultless on the front nine and picked up three birdies at No. 2, 3 and 9. 

Taylor was not going away and made four birdies to turn in 31.

The Canadian then made two further birdies and by the time the final group had reached the par-3 16th he was only one stroke behind Scheffler. 

Related: Who is Scottie Scheffler's wife?

Both players missed the green but it was Scheffler who came up clutch, draining a putt from 15ft to save his par. Taylor missed his 8ft slider. 

Then Scheffler birdied the next to take a three-stroke lead down the 72nd hole. This was his fifth PGA Tour victory. 

It was here 12 months ago that Scheffler began a remarkable stretch of golf. He went on to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC Match Play and then the Masters.

He said:

No winner of this event has ever made bogey at 16. 

 

 

 

 

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Scheffler said of his clutch save: 

Elsewhere, Rahm turned in 2-under par but struggled to capitalise on scoring opportunities on the home straight. 

He found the water with his second shot at the par-5 15th when he needed an eagle to put himself back in the mix. 

Former World No.1 Day (68) finished inside the top-10. Justin Thomas (65) also finished strong. 

Spieth, Sam Burns, Sungjae Im, Xander Schauffele and England's Tyrrell Hatton rounded off the top-10. 

Final leaderboard:

S. Scheffler -19

N. Taylor -17

J. Rahm -14

J. Thomas -13

J. Day -12

J. Spieth, S. Burns, S. Im, T. Hatton -11

R. Fowler -10

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