With this achievement, the world’s top player became just the second person to win the Players Championship, Masters, and Memorial in the same year, following Tiger Woods.
The American took the lead on 10 under overnight, four ahead of Morikawa, Adam Hadwin, and Sepp Straka; nevertheless, he was pushed the entire way instead of following the anticipated procession.
After shooting a two-over 74 to win his 11th PGA Tour title on eight under, Scheffler commented, “I didn’t do a whole lot well but I did enough to get it done.”
“I feel like this tournament has given me a few near misses. It was playing really fast, firm, and challenging; holes 16, 17, and 18 were particularly nasty.
“But it was a fun test of golf; I like it when it gets hard.”
After nine holes, Scheffler’s lead was down to two on a day when it was difficult for players to score at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village, Ohio.
However, Morikawa persisted in pressing as Hadwin, who had started the strongest with three birdies in his first seven holes, faded to finish third on four under after making five bogeys in his final 11 holes.
On the par-three 12th, two-time major winner Morikawa made a 30-foot birdie putt to cut the advantage to one, but Scheffler missed the putt.
