Scottie Scheffler won his first tournament on the PGA Tour yesterday by defeating by defeating six-time winner Patrick Cantlay on the third hole of a sudden playoff. They played the par-four 18th hole three times, with both parring it the first two times. On the third extra hole, Scheffler drove in the right san bunker but played a good shot onto the green about 15 feet short of the hole. Cantlay putted first, on the same line but about 25 feet and missed. Scheffler then made his putt center-cut for the win.
It was quite an exciting finish again in this year’s tournament, staged near where I live. Three players finished tied for third at one stroke behind: Brooks Koepka, Sadith Theegala, and Xander Schauffele.
The leader starting the day–rookie Sadith Theegala who was playing only his 11th tournament on the PGA Tour, and with a sponsor’s exemption–barely held to his lead or was tied for the lead throughout the day. But when he came to the treacherous little par four 17th hole, that is easily drivable for these pros, he elected to go for the green and barely hit into the water on the left side of the green. He made bogey and that possibly cost him a win.
I always say regarding this tournament on this golf course, if you are tied for the lead or have a slight lead on the 71st tee, do not go for that green with your tee shot, but layup safely, which is done by favoring the right side and slightly short of the green. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a hole at or near the end of a round where you can lose a tournament more than on the 17th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
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