With 14 top-10s during his previous 19 starts, Scheffler had come maddeningly close to the winner’s circle on many occasions. On Sunday, though, no one could keep up, leaving his competition in awe.

“He’s the best player in the world right now, and that’s what the best players in the world do,” Clark said.

“Sixty-six is going and getting it,” Will Zalatoris marveled after an even-par 72 left him tied for fourth with Russell Henley. “What are you going to do? That’s stellar playing.”

Lowry added, “He showed today why he’s world No. 1.”

A day earlier, Zalatoris was 11-under, with a 5-shot lead and seemingly in command before a pair of double-bogeys during the final four holes derailed him.

Scheffler reached the turn Sunday at 11-under and the only player in the final seven pairings who was under par on the opening nine holes. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy shot a 5-over par 41 en route to a 76.

From there, Scheffler turned on the afterburners.

A 35-footer for a 3 on the par-4 15th — the first hole Zalatoris double-bogeyed on Saturday and the second-toughest of the week — effectively left everyone vying for second place.

The birdie also put an exclamation point on a breakout week on the greens following a putter switch. Scheffler arrived in Orlando with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X mallet in the bag rather than a blade model putter.

Scheffler finished the week fifth in strokes gained putting and led the field in strokes gained off the tee and around the greens — a winning trifecta worth a $4 million payday Sunday.

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