A final round for the ages
Scottie Scheffler shot a stunning 61 in the final round to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday. The round was the lowest of the week and capped a wire-to-wire performance at TPC Southwind in Memphis. It is Scheffler's third win of the season and his first in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Scheffler started the day with a one-shot lead and never gave it up. He made nine birdies and no bogeys, closing with an approach shot to tap-in range on the 18th hole. The gallery roared as he walked off the green, and his lead stretched to five shots by the end.
Putting was the difference
Scheffler is known for his ball-striking, but this week his putter carried him. He ranked first in the field in strokes gained putting, a category that has been his weakness in past seasons. He holed several long birdie putts in the final round, including a 30-footer on the 12th hole that turned the tournament into a procession.
'I've been working hard on the greens, and it finally clicked,' Scheffler said after the round. 'When the putts start dropping, this game gets a lot more fun.'
Playoff picture takes shape
The win moves Scheffler to the top of the FedEx Cup standings with two playoff events remaining. Next up is the BMW Championship, followed by the Tour Championship at East Lake, where the season-long title will be decided.
Scheffler's rivals will need a strong finish to catch him. The field is cut to 50 players for the BMW, and points are reset ahead of the Tour Championship. For now, Scheffler is the clear man to beat.