Created by :- Admin
Date :- 22-04-2024
Scottie Scheffler's scorching run continued at the RBC Heritage, where the world's No. 1 player built a commanding 5-shot lead before play was suspended Saturday due to weather on Hilton Head Island.
When the horn sounded to stop action, Scheffler had birdied 5 of his first 15 holes to reach a stellar 16-under par through 51 holes played. He was 5 clear of the field after carding outstanding scores of 65-67 over the first two rounds.
The 26-year-old superstar's putting has been otherworldly, with ShotLink data showing:
As Justin Thomas remarked: "I mean, what he's doing is stupid good. Especially on these small greens."
Scheffler himself just seems completely locked in. "The ball is doing what I want it to right now," he said. "I'm just trying to stay focused and keep executing one shot at a time."
Player Total Thru Today's Score
Scottie Scheffler -16 51 holes -2 (thru 15)
Cam Young -11 18 holes -4
Seamus Power -10 54 holes E (thru 18)
Aaron Wise -9 36 holes -5 (thru 12)
Cam Young has positioned himself best after a blazing Saturday 66 to reach 11-under. The 25-year-old has finished top-3 three times already this season.
Seasoned vet Seamus Power is 10-under after an even-par 71, while Aaron Wise pieced together a flawless 31 over his first 12 holes to give chase at 9-under overall.
Despite Scheffler's cushion, several big names capable of massive heaters remain well within striking distance:
Lowry is the only previous Heritage champion in that group, having won in 2019. But Thomas is always a threat, while Pan came agonizingly close last week at the Masters.
Harbour Town has played firm and fast, with precision iron play being rewarded. The tight fairways have allowed crafty drivers of the ball to gain an edge finding the short grass.
However, the biggest defense has been the small, lightning-quick Bermuda greens which have topped out around 13 on the Stimpmeter. As Kevin Kisner put it: "You have to be so precise with your irons and have complete control of your putting stroke."
Wind gusts up to 20-25 mph also produced some high scores Saturday, with tough pin placements yielding birdie chances. The 451-yard par-4 14th hole ranked as the most difficult in Round 3.
After over 4 hours of delays due to dangerous weather, officials called it a day at 4:17 pm local time. Play will resume at 7:30 am Sunday morning.
The current forecast calls for dry conditions in the morning, followed by potential pop-up thunderstorms in the afternoon. If delays hit, officials could elect to go into a two-tee restart, playoff, or even a Monday finish if needed to crown a champion.
Most players have between 18-27 holes remaining to complete 72 official holes. The goal is to make it through 63 holes to render the tournament "official."
With 4 wins already this season, including the Players and WGC Match Play, Scheffler is in the midst of an incredible run of sustained dominance last seen by the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth in their primes.
A win this week would be his 5th in his last 13 starts worldwide dating back to last October. That stretch includes:
As impressive as the totals are, it's the how that stands out. Scheffler seems completely unflappable, bordering on robotic in his ability to shut out noise and execute his precise game plan. There is a steely confidence exuding.
Don't overlook the chances of some gritty veterans like Kevin Streelman (-5), Russell Henley (-4), or Si Woo Kim (-4) to make a big Sunday move if the conditions firm up. All have past success here.
As for some bold predictions:
While Scottie Scheffler has separated himself with his sublime play through 54 holes, this title is far from decided at the RBC Heritage. A stacked leaderboard of talents lies waiting for any misstep from the blazing-hot No. 1 player in the world.
From rising star Cam Young's pursuit from 5 back to savvy veterans like Justin Thomas, Shane Lowry and more, there is no shortage of potential challengers to Scheffler's bid for another championship.
If he can find that extra gear, the 26-year-old Texan has a golden opportunity to author another epic chapter in this dream season and further cement his status as one of the most dominant forces in the game.
But this classic, windswept track has tripped up the world's best many times before. With the forecast dicey and the pressure immense, get ready for what could be an unforgettable Sunday showdown in Hilton Head.
After overcoming so much adversity en route to the top, Scottie Scheffler has proven he possesses the resolve and talent to slam the door. But will he deliver the knockout punch, or will his hungry challengers get one more opportunity to shock the world? Buckle up for what's sure to be must-see theater.
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