Scottie Scheffler cruised to another FedEx Cup title yesterday, storming past would-be contenders with the grim inevitably of Usain Bolt in his prime.
Scheffler underlined his status as the definitive No.1 player in the world, bringing a fitting end to another pulsating season of PGA Tour golf. I thought it would be fun to take a little trip down memory lane and select my picks for best events of the PGA Tour season. The only rule: I could only choose one major championship (if I decided to choose any at all). Here goes nothing.
5. Star is Born- Jackson Koivun wins 3M Open
The 3M Open is almost certainly the least illustrious event on this list. That didn’t stop it from turning into something quite special, with rookie sensation Jackson Koivun laying down a marker by winning his first PGA Tour event in just his 3rd professional start. Koivun became a near-mythic figure during his collegiate years, becoming the first three-time SCE Player of the Year and only man to sweep all four major collegiate awards in one season. So, it’s not fair to say that his success was a complete shock. But winning in his 3rd start made him one of the quickest first-time winners in the history of the tour. He also had to show commendable grit in that final round, withstanding a fast-finishing Scottie Scheffler to win by three shots. You couldn’t help but admire his unflappable demeanour in the face of a Scottie Scheffler avalanche.
4.Fitzpatrick denied at TPC Sawgrass- Cameron Young wins the Players
This year saw an epic renewal of the tour’s flagship event, with the two premier early-season players- Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick- locking heads in dramatic style. To be fair, Fitzpatrick and Young weren’t the only shows in town. Ball-striking phenom Ludvig Aberg went into the final round with a three-shot lead before experiencing yet another case of big-event jitters (he went bogey-double bogey on the 11th and 12th). Xander Schauffele also threatened but it ultimately came down to Fitzy and Cam Young. The Englishman led by one shot going into the final two holes but appeared to let all the heckling get to him, finishing par-bogey to open the door to the swashbuckling Young. The American didn’t need a 2nd invitation, finishing birdie-par to end Fitzpatrick’s chances of becoming the first English winner of golf’s unofficial 5th major.
3. Foxtrot in Birkdale- Ryan Fox wins the Open Championship
This year’s major championship roster saved the best for last, as New Zealander Ryna Fox defied all the odds to claim his maiden major title at the age of 39. Bryson DeChambeau threatened to suck up all the tournament oxygen following that controversial two-stroke penalty in the 2nd round. But the final round turned into a complete free-for-all, with a host of players positioning themselves to be the Champion Golfer of the Year. Si Woo Kim and Sam Burns both flirted with a breakthrough win while Scheffler lurked dangerously. But Cam Young appeared to have settled matters, storming into the clubhouse lead with a sensational final-round 64. But wily links specialist Ryan Fox wasn’t overawed by the occasion, making a staggering four birdies over the last six holes to win by one stroke.
2. A comeback fit for the King- Akshay Bhatia wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Arnold Palmer once said that “you must play boldly to win”. Akshay Bhatia took that sentiment to heart at the King’s event, making up a five-shot deficit in the final round to hunt down Daniel Berger and win the biggest title of his career. The majestic lefty could have been forgiven for feeling dejected after missing a par-putt on the 9th. But Bhatia knuckled down, making four straight birdies from the 10th to roar back into contention. Then, trailing by two shots and with only three holes to play, Bhatia hit the shot of his life, stiffing his 6-iron on the 16th to set up the most unlikely of eagles. Berger pulled his drive on the first playoff hole and would ultimately have to settle for bogey. Bhatia played the percentages, hitting to the centre of the green and two-putting to walk away with the title. Curiously, Bhatia became just the 8th man in history to win his first three tournaments via a playoff.
1. Fitzy silences boo-boys- Matt Fitzpatrick wins the RBC Heritage
For me, the final round of this year’s RBC Heritage eclipsed all the other sensational golf we saw this year (majors included). Fitzpatrick was flying in the early part of the season and took a three-stroke lead into Sunday’s play. Looking to win the Tartan Jacket for the 2nd time, Fitzpatrick played wonderfully controlled golf in howling conditions, maintaining a three-shot lead till the 15th tee. But what would a PGA event be without the obligatory Scottie Scheffler charge? The FedEx Cup champ birdied the 15th and 16th, whipping the South Carolinians into frenzied, anti-Fitz bedlam (it started to resemble Ryder Cup conditions). The Englishman wilted on the 72nd hole, duffing a chip to send the tournament into a playoff. With the fans getting more boorish, the smart money appeared to be on Scheffler. But Fitzpatrick then went ahead and hit arguably the shot of the season, rifling in a rapier-like 4-iron to within 12 feet on the first playoff hole. Scheffler missed the green with his approach but could only pitch to within 8 feet. Fitzpatrick rolled the rock with conviction, sinking the putt to silence the naysayers. Clutch!
