Scottie Scheffler ‘Hooks ‘Em’ For No. 1-Ranking After WGC Match Play Win

Scottie Scheffler was a golfer to watch heading into the $12 million World Golf Championships (WGC) Dell Match Play event at Austin Country Club.

Five days later, the former Texas Longhorn and Dallas resident is a Lone Star on top of the golf world.

Scheffler’s week included seven matches plus a playoff covering 120 holes played in the WGC. The most difficult match of his week included a 6-holes playoff against 2021 European Ryder Cup team member Matt Fitzpatrick.

Scheffler earned his third PGA Tour victory in less than two months after capturing his first Tour title at the Phoenix Open. The 25-year-old was emotional following his memorable WGC win.

“Definitely a lot of emotion coming off the green today,” Scheffler said in his post-round press conference. “I’ve thought about winning this tournament ever since last year, and it’s pretty cool to do that in front of my family after a long week.”

Scheffler displayed the Longhorns Hook ’em sign, showing support for the University of Texas and the fans who have supported him.

“I’ve got a lot of good memories being here in college. To be out here and win this golf tournament in front of the fans down here is really special.”

Scheffler dominates in WGC Match Play

If there were legalized sports betting in Texas, Scheffler would have been a very popular pick of Lone Star State residents. As it was, Scheffler was among the leading favorites and bets to win at +1,900 or 19/1 odds.

Texas residents who make the short drive from East Texas to LA or to Oklahoma can place sports bets legally in those states.

Scottie Scheffler finished runner-up in the WGC Match Play event last year in Austin. He entered this year’s tournament as the No. 5 seed in the field of 64 top golfers.

Scheffler was +190 to advance out of Group 5 against Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood and Ian Poulter. Scheffler went 2-1 in those matches over three days and advanced to the Round of 16 following the 6-hole playoff win over Fitzpatrick.

From there, here were Scheffler’s results on the way to winning $2.16 million with his championship round win over Kevin Kisner, the 2019 WGC Match Play champion:

• Round of 16: Scheffler wins 1-up vs 2021 WGC – Match Play champion and No. 12 seed Billy Horschel
• Quarterfinals: Scheffler wins 3 & 2 vs No. 42 seed Seamus Power
• Semifinals: Scheffler wins 3 & 1 vs No. 8 seed Dustin Johnson
• Final: Scheffler wins 4 & 3 vs 2019 Match Play champion and No. 29 seed Kevin Kisner

Scheffler is the youngest WGC Match Play champion at 25 years old and nine months.

Scheffler moves to No. 1 in golf

Scheffler’s rapid rise up the world rankings started with his strong play in 2020, which earned him PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. He continued playing well enough in 2021 to earn a spot on the US Ryder Cup Team. Scottie was the second-youngest player on the American squad and was ranked No. 21 in the world at the time.

Scheffler entered 2022 ranked No. 12 in the world and rose to the top 10 following his Phoenix Open win. Then went up to top 5 after capturing the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The remarkable run to the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world has Scottie Scheffler a World Golf Championships winner.

“I grew up at Royal Oaks and wearing long pants to go to practice because I wanted to be a professional golfer,” Scheffler said. “I dreamed of being out here. I’ve always been fiercely competitive, and I enjoy the challenge of playing out here every week. The rankings never really crossed my mind, but just competing out here is really fun for me and just being able to win tournaments is pretty awesome.”

Scheffler will pass on playing in this week’s Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. However, fellow Dallas resident, Texas Longhorn and 3-time Major champion Jordan Spieth will complete as defending champion.

Then starting on April 7, it’s the Masters at Augusta National, which is sure to provide more memorable moments. Scheffler’s odds to win the Masters have improved from 25/1 to 16/1 following his WGC Match Play victory.

Scottie has finished inside the Top-20 in each of his last five Majors Championship starts. That includes finishing tied for 18th last year at the Masters, shooting 1-under par for the prestigious major championship in Augusta, Georgia.

Scheffler will be shooting for his first major title and Green Jacket, joining four major championship winners who have never won the Green Jacket or the Masters — Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy.