Scheffler returns to World No.1 after Players triumph

Wednesday, 15 March 2023 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

MIAMI, AFP: American Scottie Scheffler won The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass by five strokes on Sunday to return to number one in the world rankings.

Scheffler ran away with the US PGA Tour showdown at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after making five straight birdies between the eighth and 12th holes while his closest rival, Australian Min Woo Lee imploded.

The defending Masters champion, who ended on 17-under par 271, will replace Spain’s Jon Rahm atop the rankings on Monday. Rahm withdrew from the event due to illness.

The 26-year-old from New Jersey won four events on the tour last year, including at Augusta, and now has two more already this season, having won in Phoenix last month.

“I’m just trying to get a little bit better at a time, not over-think things, and fortunately to be able to see some good results and enjoy some wins and I’m very thankful,” he said.

The wind might have become a factor in a closer battle but by the time he reached the testing final holes, Scheffler had wrapped things up.

Scheffler becomes only the third player to hold the Masters and Players titles at the same time after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods and said the bigger events raise his game.