Scottie Scheffler wins WGC-Dell Technology Match Play, becomes No. 1 golfer in the world

The world of golf had all eyes on Austin, TX, this weekend, with the WGC-Dell Technology Match Play taking place at Austin Country Club. With the semifinals and finals taking place on Sunday, hometown guy and former Texas Longhorns golfer Scottie Scheffler ended up on top, defeating Kevin Kisner 4&3 in the championship.

Scheffler got off to a hot start against Kisner, making the turn 3UP. Able to make birdies on holes 4, 6, and 14, there was never a moment where Scheffler was not in control.

Having to win a playoff to advance to the knockout round, Scheffler got out of the group stages with a win over Ian Poulter and Matt Fitzpatrick. The loss to Tommy Fleetwood saw the Texas Ex face off against Fitzpatrick again, where Scheffler won in six holes.

In the Round of 16, Scheffler defeated Billy Horschel by one hole, before getting past Seamus Power 3 & 2 in the quarterfinals. He was able to hold off a late comeback from Dustin Johnson Sunday morning in the semifinals and eventually lifted the trophy after beating Kisner.

Scheffler is on a remarkable run, winning three tournaments over the past six weeks. Before then, the Dallas native had never been in the winner’s circle but after victories at the WM Phoenix Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational, and now the WGC-Dell Technology Match Play, Scheffler has ascended to the No. 1 golfer in the world.

According to Scott Bell of the Dallas Morning News, Scheffler is just the 25th golfer to ever be ranked No. 1. Only eight other Americans have held the title, with fellow Texas Longhorn Jordan Speith holding the title for 26 weeks in 2015 and 2016.

After attending Highland Park High School in Dallas, TX, Scheffler played his college golf at Texas, winning three Big 12 championships with the program. He was named the Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year in 2015 after previously winning the 2013 U.S. Junior Amatuer.

His rise inside of the PGA began in 2020, where he won Rookie of the Year, despite not winning a tournament. Scheffler was a captain’s pick to the Ryder Cup this past fall as well, helping the United States bring the trophy home in Wisconsin. Individually, he went 2-0-1, winning his Sunday singles match against former world No. 1 Jon Rahm.

With The Masters just two weeks away, Scheffler could not be getting hot at a better time. His best finish in Augusta came last year, tying for 18th place. Scheffler will be looking for a better result and hoping to be in contention come Sunday.