"Red Cardigan" Scheffler "Quickly Snags 2 Wins"... Im Sung-jae Tied for 20th

PGA Tour Premier Match Arnold Palmer Invitational Final Day '1-Stroke Victory', 2020 Champion Hatton Tied 2nd, 'Number 1' Rahm Tied 17th

Scottie Scheffler is cheering while wearing the red cardigan, the 'symbol of Arnold Palmer,' right after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Orlando, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 15 Scottie Scheffler collected another winner's trophy just three weeks after his last victory.

On the 7th (Korean time), at Bay Hill Golf Club in Orlando, Florida (par 72, 7,466 yards), Scheffler maintained an even-par score on the final day of the PGA Tour's premium event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational (total prize money $12 million), to achieve a one-stroke come-from-behind victory (5-under 283). This marks his second win of the season in quick succession, following the Waste Management Phoenix Open on the 24th of last month, with a winner's prize of a whopping $2.16 million (26.3 billion KRW).

Scheffler started the day in 4th place, two strokes behind, and recorded three birdies and three bogeys. Although a bogey on the 1st hole (par 4) was disappointing, he recovered with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 3) and a bogey on the 3rd hole (par 4) was offset by a birdie on the 5th hole (par 4), demonstrating excellent crisis management skills amid strong winds. A bogey on the 9th hole (par 4) was saved by a birdie on the 12th hole (par 5), and he parred the remaining six holes. Despite a greens-in-regulation rate of only 50%, his brilliant short game was the driving force, averaging 1.78 putts per hole.

Scheffler is a player who rose to prominence immediately after joining the PGA Tour in 2020, having passed through the Korn Ferry Tour (2nd tier) in 2019 and winning Rookie of the Year right away. He had two 2nd-place finishes and three 3rd-place finishes but no wins, which was frustrating. On the second day of the Northern Trust in August 2020, he made a 'dream 59' to announce his presence, and last March he successfully landed with 2nd places at the Dell Match Play and the Houston Open in November. His victory at the Phoenix Open drew even more spotlight as he defeated 'Playoff (PO) Champ' Patrick Cantlay (both from the USA).

The 3-under chase by 2020 champion Tyrrell Hatton (England) stopped at a tie for 2nd place (4-under 284). Viktor Hovland (Norway) and Billy Horschel (USA) joined this group. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) finished tied for 13th (1-over 289) after a poor performance including a double bogey with a 3-putt from 1.3 meters on the 7th hole (par 3), where he reached the green in two shots. World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) tied for 17th (2-over 290), and Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) tied for 20th (3-over 291).

Im Sung-jae is attempting a bunker shot on the 2nd hole of the final day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Orlando, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

'Shriners Champion' Im Sung-jae (24) finished tied for 20th. After a 2-under 'moving day spurt' the previous day that brought him close to the top 10, he struggled on this day with two birdies, four bogeys, and one double bogey. It was unfortunate that on the 6th hole (par 5), after battling bunkers and rough, he ended up with a '6-on 1-putt' double bogey. Kim Si-woo (27) tied for 26th (4-over 292), and Lee Kyoung-hoon (31) tied for 42nd (7-over 295).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.