World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler cruises to 5-shot win at Bay Hill

ORLANDO, Fla. — Scottie Scheffler’s Sunday stroll at the Arnold Palmer Invitational ended a nearly year-long drought, secured his spot atop the world rankings and validated a recent putter change.

Scheffler’s 5-shot victory also turned an event known for final-round fireworks into a dud.

A closing 6-under-par 66 was the day’s low score — the only bogey-free round — and served notice entering the heat of the PGA Tour season. Scheffler’s 2022 win at Bay Hill began a four-week run with three victories, culminating with the Masters and moving him to No. 1 for the first time.

The 27-year-old now rides a wave of momentum into this week’s Player Championship, the PGA Tour’s showcase event and site of Scheffler’s last official win.

“This one’s pretty special,” he said. “It had been awhile since I won. There had been a lot of chatter about my game and the state of where it was at, and so it was nice to kind of come in here with a good mental attitude and to perform well under pressure.

“Today’s round was really special for me going forward.”

Scheffler ended the week at Bay Hill 15-under par 273 total, the lowest score since Rory McIlroy’s 2018 win.

Reigning U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark finished second. Shane Lowry, the co-leader after each of the first three rounds, righted the ship after a bogey-bogey start to card an even-par 72 and finish third after getting into the event on a sponsor’s exemption.

“I was just disappointed I didn’t put any pressure on him early,” Lowry said. “I was a little bit shaken after those early bogeys.”

Meanwhile, Scheffler was in total control of his game on a day when just three other players shots in the 60s and the scoring average was 73.155, the highest of the week.

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.

“It has a lot to do with … keeping the mind as quiet as possible,” he said. “Part of the problem is just trying too hard. It’s frustrating to not have the best of myself.

“I’ve just gone through a stretch where it’s been tough.”

If Scheffler can remain hot with the flat stick, the rest of the Tour quite often could be left to play for second place.

“It would be borderline unfair if he starts putting really good,” said Clark, who finished fourth in strokes gained on the greens.

At the API, Scheffler already has quite an advantage.

Like iced tea and lemonade, Palmer’s world-famous concoction, Scheffler and Bay Hill appear to a perfect pairing because of his superlative ball-striking and steady demeanor.

“Scottie should win almost every year here,” Clark said.

Scheffler does it his own way, with an unorthodox swing and a golf game in continuous attack mode — qualities that made Palmer a fan favorite. But the steady and aw-shucks Scheffler’s winning performance also came at a tournament named for a golfer who oozed charisma.

The understated Scheffler didn’t interact with the crowd a la the King or perform one of Palmer’s infamous Sunday charges.

He didn’t have a chance to do so.

Scheffler spent his day in the fairways rather than near the ropes holding back spectators. Birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 stretched his lead to 5 shots and allowed him to cruise to a long-awaited seventh victory on Tour and second at Bay Hill to earn him the trademark red cardigan.

“It’s really special,” he said. “Mr. Palmer meant a lot to me, meant a lot to us as professional golfers and the game of golf, and so it’s very special to be able to sit here and wear his red sweater.

“I’m very proud to be the champion of his tournament.”