Dustin Johnson has a sizable lead, but he also has a history of not being able to finish things off at a major. Can he close? Who might push him — or pass him? We break down the final round.
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NEW ORLEANS – Scottie Scheffler says wearing the Green Jacket hasn’t gotten him out of any chores at home and that his incredible run of four wins in six starts, including his Masters triumph two weeks ago, still hasn’t sunk in. The world No. 1 returns to PGA TOUR competition at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this week, partnering with fellow Texan Ryan Palmer in the team event while looking to continue his sensational purple patch of form. Since claiming his maiden TOUR win at the WM Phoenix Open in February, Scheffler has added the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, World Golf Championships–Dell Technologies Match Play and the Masters. Not since Jason Day’s similar run in 2015 where he claimed the RBC Canadian Open, PGA Championship and two FedExCup Playoff events has a player dominated with four wins in such a short stretch. After a week off at home with family, Scheffler is back and ready to ride the wave some more. While he admits to having a bit of fun at wife Meredith’s expense, the 25-year-old is adamant he will remain the humble man he has always tried to be. There will be no viral videos of chaos or wild celebrations with the coveted clothing he picked up just over a week ago. “When my wife asks me to do stuff at home, sometimes I’ll grab it out of the closet and look at her, ‘Huh, really?’ It hasn’t worked yet,” Scheffler joked about his time with the Green Jacket. “I’ve just had some fun with it at home. I haven’t really done anything special. I haven’t taken it out of the house … I want to do a good job of representing Augusta National, and I have to bring it back at the end of next year. Since I’m almost the representation of the Green Jacket outside of the club, I’m treating it with respect. I’m not going to do anything crazy with it.” Scheffler revealed he’d been contacted by former President George W. Bush via mail and was also chuffed to get love from former Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott amongst hundreds of congratulatory messages. It all still feels like a dream. “I wouldn’t say it’s really sunk in,” he said. “I’ve had a good stretch recently, but I took a little bit of time at home last week to just relax. I was a bit drained. So I did not do much last week at all. I just chilled at home. “To have someone like President Bush reach out just to congratulate me is pretty special … Michael Phelps posted me in one of his stories, and then Zeke from the Cowboys sent me a message. Michael Phelps is just insane. The guy is one of the greatest athletes ever. For him to reach out and post something about me or whatever is pretty cool. “Those are probably kind of the only moments I’ve had where I kind of sit and reflect on what’s happened the past month and a half, two months. Just getting some messages like that from people I’ve looked up to for so long is really special.” In Palmer, Scheffler has a proven performer at TPC Louisiana. The veteran teamed up with Jon Rahm to win the tournament in 2019. Justin Thomas was one to poke a little fun at Palmer, who has now boasted Jordan Spieth, Rahm and Scheffler as partners in New Orleans. “The joke became he had to win twice. After he won twice, we firmed it up. You’ve got to be a multiple winner for me to come to you,” Palmer laughed about getting his newest top-ranked star partner. “The thing that really sealed it was (that) I sent a picture of me and Jon with the trophy, but I imposed his face on it.” In reality, Palmer has been a guy all three stars wanted to play with. “I’ve known Ryan since he’s been working with Randy Smith,” Scheffler said. “We have the same coach at home. We work out together in the off-season. Same trainer and we play a lot of games at home. So, it was a pretty seamless decision. We’ll have some fun. “This is his 19th year on TOUR. It’s not like my older brother I brought in off the street. Ryan is one of the best ball strikers out here. Nineteen years on TOUR, and that speaks for itself. Four wins? Yeah, the guy’s got the resume.”
KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – Trevor Immelman instantly noticed the maturity and calm attitude. In his role as International captain in the Junior Presidents Cup of 2017, the former Masters winner had a youngster by the name of Garrick Higgo in his squad, a fellow South African, who stood out from his teammates away from the golf course more so than on it. Higgo was 18 at the time, a young adult sure, but amongst the other teens he might as well have been 40. “I was immediately impressed by him. Not just his game but his entire demeanor and personality was very mature and at ease. He just had a calmness about him that exceeded his age,” Immelman said. Fast forward to 2021 and there may not be a hotter player in world golf leading into the PGA Championship than the now 22-year-old who has won twice on the European Tour in his last three starts. At 51st in the world rankings, Higgo is on track to be the first Junior Presidents Cup player to make the actual Presidents Cup. Ironically Immelman will be the 2022 International captain at Quail Hollow. “It would be awesome to play for Trevor. It’s obviously still a year away. But I mean, what a story that would be if I played for him in the Junior Presidents Cup and then the actual Cup,” Higgo beamed on the eve of playing his first major championship at Kiawah Island. The rise of the youngster since his Junior Presidents Cup appearance has been swift. He spent a few semesters at UNLV before returning back to South Africa and surprising many by turning pro. But he backed up the bravado with results, winning twice in 2019 and twice more in 2020 on the Sunshine Tour, the last of which was co-sanctioned with the European Tour, giving him a ticket to join. His rise continued in 2021 where he’s finished T4-1-T8-1 in his last four starts heading into the PGA Championship. “Obviously I didn’t expect it this quickly, but we all believe in ourselves and you have to if you’re going to do it this quickly. If someone said to me, you were going to do it, I wouldn’t have said no,” Higgo smiled. His personality is infectious – much like young Norwegian star Viktor Hovland. They both appear to always be smiling and always happy to be where they are. Given Higgo is left-handed Immelman says he is reminded of someone else as well. “His demeanor reminds me of Phil Mickelson. He has a friendly face which always has a smile,” Immelman says. “He’s comfortable in his own skin, he’s relaxed. I’m excited about him. He’s young and has a lot to learn but he’s the type of guy we could be watching a lot of the next few decades.” The smile isn’t by accident. “It’s definitely the way I am. I am very chilled,” Higgo adds. “I think I do kind of show a little bit more chill than I actually am inside but it is something that you definitely need and that I’ve learnt to do under pressure.” Higgo could have easily been a kid who rarely smiled given his past. But he has had another South African former Presidents Cup captain and major winner in his life over the years to help. Legend Gary Player, who captained the 2003, 2005 and 2007 International teams, reached out to him when he was just nine after Higgo, his parents, an older brother and younger sister had been in a car accident that tragically claimed his father’s life. “I was fortunate enough to play nine holes with him when I was nine. My dad passed away and I think his mom passed away when he was a similar age, so we kind of have that connection,” Higgo said. “He always sent me letters when I was young, as well, just encouraging me to keep going all the way through my amateur career. When I played the U.S. Am at Oakland Hills, he phoned me the night before to run through the course and gave me some good tips and even through my pro period, helped me start on the Sunshine Tour. Through all my wins, he’s been there, and he’s been a tremendous mentor to have.” As he prepared for his major debut, International team veterans Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen also took him under their wing. Higgo soaked in their advice and feels confident he can make a good showing at Kiawah. “My game is in good shape. I think I’m just going to learn a lot. Hopefully I’ll have a good week. If not, I’ll just learn,” he said. “I love playing in the wind. I grew up in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, where the wind blows every day, so I’m used to that. It doesn’t matter where you play. You still have to beat everyone that plays there and shoot the score. I think if my game is as good as it’s been, I could do pretty well, but there’s no expectations.” Immelman will be a keen observer. “It’s a distinct possibility that he could play his way on to our team next year. He has the pedigree, he’s top 50 in the world at 22, and he’s been winning at every level he’s played so he’s accumulated a lot of experience in a short period of time,” Immelman says. “He has a lot of momentum coming in here but this will be a little different. This is his first PGA, his first major, and now a lot of people are paying attention to him on an extremely difficult golf course. So it will be a cool week to observe and see how he goes about it. “It is a nice time to be the International Team captain. We blooded a lot of youth in Australia in 2019 and the rookies became one of our strengths. And now, in terms of more young guys, the likes of Higgo and Wilco Nienaber from South Africa, Cameron Davis and Min Woo Lee from Australia and Takumi Kanaya of Japan are starting to emerge. It’s exciting.”
Round 4 of the Houston Open gets underway today. Here’s everything you need to follow the action. Round 4 leaderboard Round 4 tee times HOW TO FOLLOW Television: Thursday-Friday, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel) Radio: Thursday-Friday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. ET. Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.-7 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio). NOTABLE TEE TIMES (ALL TIMES LOCAL) Peter Malnati, Brandon Wu Tee time: 1:25 p.m. Cameron Tringale, Beau Hossler Tee time: 1:35 p.m. Lanto Griffin, Mark Hubbard Tee time: 1:45 p.m. MUST READS Time for Griffin to turn consistency into victory Griffin shoots 65 to lead Houston Open Wu in contention in first PGA TOUR start as a pro Soon to be a father, Malnati hopes to deliver a win in Houston Cold, windy conditions make an impact at Houston Open Malnati shoots 65 to lead Houston Open New ‘Toddler Issue’ pink driver, yellow golf ball Hammer gets his wish with 67 and Astros tickets Cook’s redemption week kicks off with a 64 Rich Beem’s ‘simply incredible’ first round all started with a letter Top 5 moments at Golf Club of Houston When will it be Hammer’s time to turn pro? Stenson says goodbye to 3-wood Houston Astros put baseball spin on golf Top 10 rookies to watch What to expect during the fall schedule Sign-up and play Fantasy Golf
