LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) —World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler delivered another commanding performance on Sunday, pulling away late to win The American Express by four shots and claim the 20th PGA Tour victory of his career.
Scheffler began the final round two shots behind but quickly seized control, making birdie on half his holes and closing with a 6-under 66 on the Pete Dye Stadium Course at PGA West to finish at 27-under 261.
“There’s always some rust at the start of the year,” Scheffler said. “You can practice all you want, but tournament golf is different. It was nice to see the work I’ve put in show up when it mattered.”
Early surge breaks the field
After a steady opening, Scheffler caught fire on the front nine, rolling in four birdies in a six-hole stretch to blow past the leaders. What began as a tight contest soon turned into a rout, with Scheffler’s lead swelling to six shots before a late double bogey trimmed the margin.
Teenager Blades Brown, who had been part of the early lead, faded after a costly double bogey on the par-5 fifth. Brown, who finished high school just two weeks ago, eventually carded a 74 and slipped into a tie for 18th.
“It was incredible just being out there,” Brown said. “Playing with Scottie and watching how he manages every part of the game — especially his short game — that was a huge learning experience.”
Elite company before 30
The victory earned Scheffler a lifetime PGA Tour membership and placed him in rare historical company. He joined Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to reach 20 PGA Tour wins and four major championships before turning 30.
“Pretty wild,” Scheffler said. “I try not to think about that stuff too much. I just focus on being prepared.”
Nine of Scheffler’s 20 Tour victories have now come by four shots or more, underscoring his growing reputation for closing tournaments with authority.
Chasers left scrambling
Jason Day surged up the leaderboard with a final-round 64, joining Ryan Gerard, Matt McCarty, and Andrew Putnam in a four-way tie for second.
“It seems like he never relaxes,” Day said of Scheffler. “He’s always prepared, always around the lead — and that’s incredibly hard to do, especially as world No. 1.”
Former leader Si Woo Kim struggled with a costly double bogey mid-round but recovered to finish tied for sixth.
Routine excellence
Scheffler’s only real mistake came late — a tee shot into the water on the par-3 17th known as “Alcatraz.” By then, it barely mattered. He calmly tapped in on the final green, pocketed his ball, and smiled — another dominant week complete.
Scheffler will take next week off before resuming his West Coast swing at the Phoenix Open, the site of his first PGA Tour victory four years ago.
Back then, he needed a playoff.
These days, he barely needs company.