Scheffler returns to World No.1 with Players Championship triumph

Scottie Scheffler replaced Jon Rahm at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking after cruising to a sixth PGA Tour title in 13 months at the Platers Championship.

The American carded a final-round 69 to end the week on 17 under and secure the bumper $4.5million jackpot, with Scheffler five strokes ahead of nearest challenger Tyrrell Hatton.

The victory sees Scheffler become just the third player to hold the Players and Masters titles at the same time, emulating Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

“I did a really good job of staying patient and not trying to force things [early on] and then I got hot in the middle of the round and tried to put things away,” said the Texan.

“The final stretch is tough, especially with how windy it was getting. The shots on 17 were challenging and I made a great par on 18. I’m relieved and tired.”

Hatton, who was bidding to become the first ever Englishman to win the event, birdied his last five holes to secure $2.7million, while his fellow Ryder Cup teammate, Viktor Hovland, finished in a share of third alongside Tom Hoge to pick up a tidy $1.4million.

“Well, look, money’s great, but at the end of the day, I’m, what, 69th in the FedExCup,” said Hatton.

“I made a comment at the start of this week that after being in the tournament at Bay Hill for as long as I was on Sunday, to only end up with 110 points was disappointing.

“Every year we’re all trying to earn as many points as we can. This year’s no different. I mean, this might be my sixth counting FedEx event of the season. So I’m playing catch-up to a lot of guys that have played quite a bit of golf already.

“Obviously some of the European lads are in the same boat where we play DP World stuff at the back end of the calendar year and we miss some events over in the States. So, yeah, I’m just out here trying to earn as many points as I can and try and set myself up nicely for next year.”

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