Phoenix, Arizona – Scottie Scheffler is the 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open champion for the second consecutive year. Scheffler, who had a career year in 2022 including a win at the Masters, is now setup to make that same run again in 2023. A year ago, Scottie won this same event but in a playoff, besting Patrick Cantlay for his first PGA Tour victory. This year he did it with a 2 shot lead and an easy stroll up the 72nd hole.
Scheffler made four birdies and a eagle in his final round edging out his playing competitor Nick Taylor. Taylor, a Canadian born golfer, put together a marvelous final round of 6 under 65, but it wasn’t quite enough. Although he turned professional over a decade ago, Nick only has two PGA Tour victories, neither of which have been recent. The latest being 2020 and the former in 2014. However, that did not deter the veteran golfer. He had an impossible challenge of being paired with major champion and world number three Jon Rahm and reigning Masters champ and world number two Scottie Scheffler. Not exactly an easy threesome to get paired with.
Despite the high stakes, Nick bested Rahm by 3 shots in his final round to end in a solo second while tying Scottie at 6 under for the day. Unfortunately for Nick, that number was not good enough for a victory as Scottie held his ground long enough for win number five on the PGA Tour. Scheffler also received a bonus after his win today as he is now world number one in the official golf rankings. The win vaulted him above Rory McIlroy into the top spot.
It was an especially wild week at the “Wasted Open” this week as record crowds were likely due to the Super Bowl being played just a few miles from TPC Scottsdale. Any major sports fan could have theoretically attended the Waste Management final round on Sunday and then hopped in an Uber just in time for kickoff of Super Bowl LVII.
Other notables in the field this week was Rickie Fowler who has made resurgence as of late working with his former swing coach Butch Harmon. Rickie did have some trouble with the putter but the rest of his bag seems to be in shape for the 2023 season. Although he didnt win, he cracked the top 10 for the first time since October and even carded a hole in one on his 7th hole of his final round. Jason Day also worked on some significant swing changes this offseason and found himself near the top of the leaderboard. Day finished in 5th place.
Scottie Scheffler’s What’s In The Bag:
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (8°, playing at 7.5°) / Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
3 Wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (16.5°, playing at 15°) / Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Utility Iron: Srixon Z U85 (3) / Nippon Pro Modus3 Hybrid Tour X
Irons: Srixon ZU85 (4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW) / True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50° 12F, 56° 14F, 60° 06K) / True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Special Select Timeless Tourtype GSS Prototype
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Zack Buechner
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