Scottie Scheffler sealed a remarkable rise to the top of golf after defeating Dustin Johnson and Kevin Kisner to claim the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play title.
Runner-up to Billy Horschel at last year’s event, Scheffler had to beat former champions in both his semi-final and final but he established early leads in both contests and refused to relinquish control.
The 25-year-old won his first PGA Tour title just six weeks ago, at the Phoenix Open, before coming out on top at the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this month.
His third title has ensured he will rise from fifth to first in the standings, ending Spain’s Jon Rahm’s time at the summit of the game.
Scheffler, the youngest ever winner of the WGC Match Play said: “I always just dreamed of being in this tournament.
“I really can’t put into words what it means to play in front of these fans. Just to feel their support.
“With the World No.1 spot I will believe it when I see it tomorrow, but I never got that far in my dreams to be honest! I just love playing golf... and I love competing and I’m just happy to be out here.”
Standing in his way of a second successive final appearance earlier in the day was Dustin Johnson, a former world number one and champion at Austin Country Club five years ago, but Scheffler was three up after four holes.
He was five shots ahead after 11 but Johnson came roaring back by taking the next four holes courtesy of three birdies and a miscue from Scheffler, whose advantage was cut down to a single stroke.
Scheffler, though, held his nerve and drilled an approach to within 15 feet on the 16th before closing out a 3 and 1 victory shortly afterwards and set up a showdown against Kisner, who beat Corey Conners.
Kisner, who overcame defeat in the 2018 final by lifting the trophy 12 months later, needed a full 18 holes to see off his Canadian opponent, eventually prevailing by two shots but he was under pressure early on against Scheffler.
Scheffler jumped out in front after the second hole and was two up after four when he sunk a 20-foot putt.
He extended his lead to three shots after six and closed the door on an attempted comeback from his fellow American by chipping in for birdie from a greenside bunker to tie the 12th.
Kisner had been three down with four to play against Adam Scott in his last-16 match before winning on the 18th so was never likely to make it easy for his opponent in the final.
But the lead was extended to four shots after Scheffler holed a 16-foot birdie putt on the 14th before he closed out a comprehensive 4 and 3 triumph for his third win in his last five starts. In the third place play-off, Conners prevailed 3 and 1 against Johnson.
With The Masters now just over ten days away, Scheffler’s game could not be in better shape as he looks for a first major to add to his incredible recent success.
