>> American golfer Scottie Scheffler with a trophy after winning The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach on March 13, 2023.
Ponte Vedra Beach (USA) – American Scottie Scheffler won the prestigious golf tournament The Players Championship and returned to the top of the world rankings after a month. In Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, he triumphed with a score of -17 and a five-shot lead over England's Tyrrell Hatton. He collected the PGA Tour's most generous prize money at $4.5 million.
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Scheffler celebrated his sixth career title at the Players, having collected all since last February. In April, he then dominated the Major Masters. Now his preparation for the defense of the green jacket has been exceedingly successful. He also got into select company, as only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus were able to win both of these tournaments within 12 months.
In the position of golf's number one, Scheffler replaced Spain's Jon Rahm, who did not finish the Players. He withdrew due to illness on Friday before the second round. Another candidate for the world throne, Rory McIlroy, did not pass the cut.
“I'm just trying to improve and not think too much about everything. Fortunately, I've had some pretty good results and some wins. In the middle of the (last) round, I fired it up and tried to finish it as quickly as possible,” commented Scheffler after five birdies on holes eight through 12.
The Players Championship golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach, part of the PGA Tour series (par 72, $25 million endowment):
1. Scheffler (USA) 271 (68+69+65+69), 2. Hatton (Eng.) 276 (72+71+68+65), 3. Hovland (Nor.) 278 (69+71+70+68) , Hoge (USA) 278 (78+68+62+70), 5. Matsuyama (Japan) 279 (74+70+67+68).
Golf ranking as of March 12 (previous location in parentheses):
1. (2nd) Scheffler (USA) 10.40, 2nd (1st) Rahm (Spain) 9.17, 3rd (3rd) McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 8.90, 4th (4th) Cantlay (USA) 7.24, 5th (5th) Smith (Aust.) 6.23, 6th (7th) Homa 5.79, 7th (6th) Schauffele 5.70, 8th (8th ) Zalatoris (All USA) 5.42, 9. (11.) Hovland (Nor.) 5.15, 10. (9.) Thomas (USA) 4.95, …1029. (1027.) Cafourek (Czech Republic) 0.08.
