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The WGC - Dell Match Play: Scottie Scheffler goes to World No.1 after win in Texas

Scottie Scheffler with the WGC - Dell Match Play trophy

The American completed his remarkable rise to the top of the world rankings after beating Kevin Kisner 4&3 in Sunday’s final at Austin Country Club.

Forty-two days ago Scottie Scheffler was still battling to get his first win on the PGA Tour.

Now, he sits on top of the world rankings after completing a remarkable rise by winning the WGC - Dell Match Play in his native Texas.
Victory over Kevin Kisner in the final at Austin Country Club made it three wins for Scheffler in his last five starts.
Quite simply, he's the hottest player in golf.

Scheffler went into Sunday knowing that he still had plenty to do if he was to replace Jon Rahm at the top of the world rankings.

But he made light work of it. First, he cruised past Dustin Johnson 3&1 in the last four and then he never gave Kevin Kisner a chance in the final, closing out a 4&3 victory on the 15th green.

There was one brief wobble when he clumsily chipped into a bunker at the 14th hole but, before Kisner could think about opening the door, Scheffler holed from sand and walked off with his 3up lead still intact.
Three holes later after a run of par, birdie, par and Scheffler had the win, adding to his recent successes at Bay Hill and TPC Scottsdale.
Next stop for the 25-year-old: a first Major title and why not the upcoming Masters where he's finished tied 19th (2020) and tied 18th (2021) on his first two looks?

Scheffler on a 'crazy' run to the top

Scheffler said later: "Definitely a lot of emotion coming off the green today. It's been kind of a crazy past few months. I got my first win in Phoenix, and then I guess this is my third now, and golly, what a long week.
"I really don't know how to describe the emotion. I've thought about winning this tournament ever since last year. It left kind of a poor taste in my mouth getting so close and ultimately coming up short.
"So it feels really good to finish the job this time around.
As for reaching World No.1, Scheffler said he was struggling to take it in.
"Pretty cool to do that in front of my family. They've supported me so much along the way, and I really don't know what to say about that.
"I don't feel like that. I don't feel like No.1 in the world. I feel like the same guy I was four months ago, and I hope that doesn't change. Yeah, I don't feel any different."
Perhaps, importantly, he said the prospect of going to World No.1 didn't enter his thoughts during the final.
"To be honest with you, it never really crossed my mind today probably until the last green, and I kind of had to snap out of it because Kis is a pretty good putter, and if he rolls that one in, it can really change the match."

Course form holds up at Austin Country Club

Despite the supposed volatile nature of match play, one thing became pretty clear at Austin Country Club this week: course form counts for plenty.
Despite the usual ebbs and flows, the semi-finals were contested by two former winners, Dustin Johnson and Kevin Kisner, and last year's runner-up Scheffler.
Scheffler's victory means we can now say that three of the four semi-finalists from 2022 are winners of the event.
Austin Country Club is a somewhat quirky layout and has definitely produced its quota of course specialists.
Scheffler went to college in Austin so knew what it takes to succeed there.
He said: "I would say this week it's definitely got a special place in my mind and heart. I've got a lot of good memories being here in college. It's been a long journey to this point.
"I had some pretty low points in college where I really fought my swing and I fought some injuries. I fought a lot of stuff during college.
"To be out here and win this golf tournament in front of the fans down here is really special.
"Like I said, I always dreamed of playing in this tournament, and just to be out here was a treat, and to be able to play seven rounds and finish and win is really special."

Masters hopefuls have mixed time

Scheffler and DJ (who lost the third place match to Corey Conners) will have boosted their confidence ahead of the year's first Major which starts in just over a week but how about the other Augusta hopefuls?
Jon Rahm still looks a little frustrated and his one step forward, one step back run played out again this week. He won his group but then lost to Brooks Koepka in the round of 16.
It was a similar week for Collin Morikawa. He too won his group but then, shockingly, was blasted 7&6 by Abraham Ancer in the first knockout round.

Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas both made group-stage exits after losing two of their three matches so need to refocus a little.

Rory McIlroy

Maybe Rory McIlroy had the right idea by skipping the event. He's not playing in this week's Texas Open either so will be fresher than most as he heads to The Masters in search of a first green jacket.

Ferguson takes Qatar crown

While Scheffler was landing the spoils in Texas, there was another European Tour event this week, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Victory went to Scotland's Ewen Ferguson, who finished eagle-par-birdie to finish at 7-under - a shot in front of American Chase Hanna.
Sweden's Marcus Kinhult and Poland's Adrian Meronk were tied third, a further stroke back.

READ MORE: Phil Mickelson to miss Masters for first time in 28 years as Saudi fall-out continues

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