First Time PGA TOUR Winner Scottie Scheffler Bests World No. 4 Patrick Cantlay in Three-Hole Playoff
The 2022 WM Phoenix Open has come to an exciting end with thousands of golf fans once again pushing off the Super Bowl to see who would be crowned “The People’s Open Champion.” Finding the winner’s circle for the first time in his young and budding career is Scottie Scheffler – one of the PGA TOUR’s rising stars – who bested world No. 4 Patrick Cantlay in a sudden-death, three-hole playoff to secure his first PGA TOUR victory.
Scheffler followed his feverish Saturday pace (9-under 62) with a 4-under 67 to tie defending FedExCup Champion Patrick Cantlay at the end of regulation. Both players traded pars for two holes of the sudden death playoff before Scheffler made birdie to put the pressure on Cantlay who watched his matching putt roll just past the hole. With the win, Scheffler wins nearly $1.5 million and 500 FedExCup points to move to fourth in the year-long standings.
“Definitely nice to get my first win under the belt, and I think the first one is probably always the hardest,” Scheffler said. “I definitely made it pretty difficult on myself today and going into the playoff and having to beat a player like Patrick [Cantlay] is pretty tough. Just very pleased that I was able to do it.”
On behalf of The Thunderbirds, title sponsor WM and the PGA TOUR, the WM Phoenix Open would like to extend an enormous thank you to our volunteers and, of course, the very best fans in golf. Thank you for an outstanding tournament! Stay tuned for the Sunday highlights, and we’ll see you next year at The People’s Open!