ORLANDO, FL – Scottie Scheffler seized victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard this week, marking an end to his nearly year-long drought in stunning fashion. His triumph not only secured his position atop the world rankings but also validated a recent switch in putters.
Scheffler’s dominant 5-shot win eradicated any suspense from the final round of the tournament, known for its dramatic finishes. With a closing 6-under-par 66, the lowest score of the day and the sole bogey-free round, he signaled his readiness for the heat of the PGA Tour season. Scheffler’s victory at Bay Hill in 2022 initiated a remarkable four-week streak with three wins, culminating in the Masters and propelling him to the No. 1 spot for the first time.
This win marks his second Arnold Palmer Invitational victory, making him just the eighth player to clinch the tournament more than once. Scheffler ascended to the summit of the FedExCup standings and pocketed a $4 million winner’s check in the PGA TOUR’s fourth Signature Event of the season.
“This one’s pretty special,” Scheffler remarked. “It had been awhile since I won. There had been a lot of chatter about my game and the state of where it was at, and so it was nice to kind of come in here with a good mental attitude and to perform well under pressure. Today’s round was really special for me going forward.”
Wyndham Clark, reigning U.S. Open champion, secured second place, while Shane Lowry, the co-leader after each of the first three rounds, settled for third after overcoming a shaky start.
Scheffler displayed unwavering control over his game, outpacing his competitors on a day when only three other players scored in the 60s, resulting in the highest scoring average of the week.
With 14 top-10 finishes in his previous 19 starts, Scheffler had been tantalizingly close to victory on numerous occasions. However, on Sunday, he left his competition in awe with an unmatched performance.
“He’s the best player in the world right now, and that’s what the best players in the world do,” remarked Clark.
Entering the final round tied with Lowry, Scheffler wasted no time distancing himself from the competition. His early birdie coupled with Lowry’s consecutive bogeys set the stage for his dominance, leading by three strokes at the turn.
Scheffler’s stellar play continued as he reached the turn at 11-under, the lone player in the final seven pairings to be under par on the front nine. Rory McIlroy, World No. 2, struggled with a 5-over par 41 en route to a 76.
Scheffler’s prowess in putting, combined with his performance off the tee and around the greens, secured him a $4 million payday and left his competitors in his wake.
“If Scheffler can remain hot with the flat stick, the rest of the Tour quite often could be left to play for second place,” observers noted, acknowledging his potential dominance in future tournaments.
