Scottie Scheffler has returned to the top of the World Golf Rankings by winning the WM Phoenix Open.
During 2022, the American held the position for 30 weeks before being overtaken by Rory McIlroy in October, and the early-season form of Jon Rahm appeared to make it more likely that the Spaniard would eventually move past McIlroy over the coming weeks.
However, Scheffler was able to successfully defend the title that he won 12 months ago, prevailing by two shots ahead of Nick Taylor.
That saw the 26-year-old retain the two-shot lead that he possessed at the start of Sunday, and he played a faultless round which consisted of four birdies and an eagle.
The latter of those efforts proved decisive with Taylor having threatened to move ahead of his more illustrious opponent, Scheffler holing out from 21 feet.
The winning moment for Scottie Scheffler @WMPhoenixOpen 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Tjv3tKJt02
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 12, 2023
A bogey on 16 from Taylor and a birdie from Scheffler on 17 gave the Masters champion some breathing space, and a par on the last was enough to cruise over the line.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the win, Taylor secured the biggest pay-day of his career, even if his performance did not match his two PGA Tour wins in the past.
A round of 68 was enough to see Rahm finish in third spot, while McIlroy could only conclude the tournament in a tie for 32nd place.
Justin Thomas and Jason Day completed the top five, with Jordan Spieth and Tyrrell Hatton notable names in the group who finished in sixth spot.
Although he hit a hole-in-one during Sunday's play, Rickie Fowler dropped down to a share of 10th position come the end of the day.
Darren Plant
