Scottie Scheffler has risen to the rank of world number one after winning the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, beating off Kevin Kisner in a dramatic bout. The two men were tied from the 7th hole till the 13th before Scheffler took the lead in the 14th. He was able to secure victory with a two-putt for par from 20 feet. Scheffler earlier defeated Billy Horschel, the man who won the event last year after defeating him at the final and survived a semifinal play against Dustin Johnson to set up the final with Kisner. This is his third victory in just five starts.
Scheffler began the event ranked number five, a position he attained after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month. In February, when he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open, his first PGA Tour title, he was ranked 15th. It is impressive to see how far he has come in just a matter of weeks.
His win on Sunday ended Jon Rahm’s 36-week reign as world number one. No one could have guessed that Scheffler would take the spot in such little time, especially given the fact that there were other players, like Colin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland, who were positioned to take the top spot.
The 25-year-old, who made his first appearance for Team USA at the Ryder Cup last year, is now the sixth-youngest person to reach the number one rank. He is also the player with the fastest rise to world number one, claiming the position just 42 days after winning his first PGA Tour title.
Speaking after his victory on Sunday, Scheffler could not hide his loss for words – “I really don’t know what to say,” he said.
“I’m just really pleased. It’s a tough week, a long week. I figured out my routine to keep some energy. But I’m pretty worn out right now, to be honest. It’s a dream come true to play in front of my hometown fans here, going to school here. I’m pleased to be playing in it, and even more happy to win it.”
Written by: Leon Osamor
