The table was set on Sunday for Scottie Scheffler to overtake Rory McIlroy and return to the No. 1 ranking in the world of golf.
The Masters champion began the final round at the Tournament of Champions in perfect position to move to the top of the heap — he was tied for second behind overnight leader Collin Morikawa and after rounds of 66-66-69 — things were going pretty well for Scottie. He was 18-under and in the next-to-last pairing.
Things started well enough and turned two-under but the stellar play from the first three days left the islands too soon. All he could muster was a closing 70 and a 21-under par total that dropped him into a tie for seventh.
Scheffler need to finish in a two-way tie for third or better to overtake McIlroy.
McIlroy will start his 2023 season at the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour that begins January 26 at the Emirates Golf Club.
First “Elevated” Event Pays $2.7 Million To Jon Rahm:
The just-completed Tournament of Champions was the first of the PGA Tour’s “elevated events” on the 2023 schedule.
Jon Rahm, who came from nine shots back after his opening bogey on Sunday, collected a fat $2.7 million.
Collin Morikawa suffered a complete meltdown but still managed a solo second and collected $1.5 million as a consolation.
Nice Return To Action For Will Zalatoris:
Will Zalatoris was making his return to the PGA Tour after more than 130 days without a competitive round as he underwent treatment and rehabilitation for two herniated discs in his back.
Zalatoris had a nice outing at the Tournament of Champions. After three straight 69s, he finished on Sunday with an eight-under par 65.
“I feel great,” Zalatoris said. “It felt great — starting to shake off the first the first couple of days. I put it all together today (Sunday). Overall, shooting 20-under — I’ll take it!”
A Top Five For Tom Kim:
Tom Kim had a blast all week in Hawaii. There’s wasn’t much sight-seeing. The youngster spent the bulk of his time either on the practice tee or in the gym. He finished the week with rounds of 65-69-69-68 was tied for fifth with J.J. Spaun at 22-under par. Kim played Sunday’s final round with eventual winner Jon Rahm.
The List No One Wants To Be On:
It’s the list no one wants their name on but add Collin Morikawa at the 2023 Tournament of Champions to those who have blown 54-hole leads.
Here’s what it looks like (final round score in parenthesis):
Collin Morikawa, 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions (72)
Scottie Scheffler, 2022 Tour Championship (73*)
Dustin Johnson, 2017 WGC-HSBC Champions (closed in 77)
Spencer Levin, 2012 WM Phoenix Open (75)
Sergio Garcia, 2005 Wachovia Championship (72)
Greg Norman, 1996 Masters (78)
Hal Sutton, 1983 Anheuser-Busch Classic (77)
Gay Brewer, 1969 Danny Thomas-Diplomat Classic (73)
Bobby Cruickshank, 1928 Florida Open (80)
