Scottie Scheffler displayed remarkable focus as he made an 8-foot par putt on the 18th hole, securing a spot in a sudden-death playoff at the Travelers Championship. The tournament faced a rain delay, leading to a playoff scheduled for Monday morning after officials determined there was not enough daylight for the playoff on Sunday.
The playoff, commencing at 9 a.m., marks the first time a PGA Tour event extends an extra day since The Players Championship last year. “It’s more fun when you’re making the ones to win,” Scheffler noted, expressing enthusiasm for his chance to compete the following day.
Scheffler and Viktor Hovland both had birdie opportunities in the final round. Scheffler’s ambitious 30-foot attempt went 8 feet past, requiring a par putt, while Hovland’s 25-foot try narrowly missed, resulting in a tap-in for a score of 69. Scheffler’s clutch par putt contributed to his 68, equaling Hovland at 21-under 259.
Collin Morikawa briefly joined the leaders with a strong finish of 61 but fell one shot short. Hovland, who began the final round with a one-shot advantage, faced setbacks during weather-induced interruptions.
During play, Hovland managed to regain momentum by sinking a 15-foot birdie from the fringe after Scheffler conserved his lead with a critical 6-foot par putt. On the par-4 15th, Scheffler’s recovery from the rough was commendable, securing another vital par while Hovland made consecutive birdies, tying the match.
Scheffler missed a crucial birdie on the 17th, finding the fairway’s wet rough but responding with a well-aimed approach on the 18th. Officials anticipated insufficient light for extra holes, leading to a deferred playoff.
Hovland’s round featured a fluctuating rhythm, including a challenging 10-hole stretch. His recovery came after three straight birdies, aided by rain-altered course conditions. The pause proved beneficial, allowing him to reassess his strategy.
Meanwhile, Morikawa’s late surge included nine birdies, ending his round with a precise bunker shot. Although he was nine shots behind initially, the extended waiting period allowed consideration of his position relative to the leaders.
Matt Fitzpatrick finished fourth with a solid 64. U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, following a taxing event at Shinnecock Hills, performed well until a misstep on the 17th. Clark concluded three shots off the lead.