Collin Morikawa mounted an attack, but Scottie Scheffler triumphed at Memorial Sunday in a final pairing battle between major champions, a week ahead of the US Open.
Scheffler posted a final round 2-over to finish at 8-under for the tournament. Morikawa was within a stroke of the 18th green, but settled for second at 7 under after gaining three strokes over Scheffler in the final round. The victory is Scheffler’s fifth in seven tournaments, a thrilling run that includes victories at The Players Championship and the Masters.
Morikawa’s attack falls short
Scheffler entered Sunday with a four-stroke lead over Morikawa, Sepp Straka and Adam Hadwin. A two-time major winner, he played Sunday’s final round alongside fellow two-time major champion Morikawa.
On the turn, Morikawa had cut Scheffler’s lead in half with a 1-under effort on the front nine. Scheffler countered with two bogeys and a birdie to land at 9 under on the back nine, two strokes ahead of Morikawa. Morikawa then hit a bird 12 to cut Scheffler’s lead to one and stay one stroke back through 15.
Big swing on 16
But Scheffler extended his lead on the 16th green after Morikawa appeared to have a chance to tie at the top of the scoreboard after Scheffler left himself with a long par putt. But Morikawa missed the green on the par-3, leaving himself with his own long putt after leaving his chip short. He missed the putt and dropped to 7 under.
Scheffler then sank his putt to secure par and a two-stroke lead at 9 under.
Scheffler opened the door for Morikawa on the 17th green. He recorded his only blemish on the back nine with a missed par putt, dropping him to 8-under. Morikawa recorded a par and entered the final hole one stroke behind.
Both ended up on the greenside on 18 after going long on their approach shots. Morikawa chipped close to the flag to put pressure on Scheffler. But Scheffler left himself with a makeable par putt that he sank to secure the victory.
The victory is the first of Scheffler’s career at Memorial. He’s now coming off a second-place finish at the Charles Schwab Challenge and Sunday’s victory since a T8 at the PGA Championship that drew more attention for his early morning arrest ahead of Round 2 than his play on the course.
Next, Scheffler will look to extend his hot streak at next week’s US Open at Pinehurst, where he will look to secure his third career major championship.
