Scottie Scheffler, the rising star on the PGA Tour, saw his remarkable streak of rounds under par come to an unexpected halt at the Houston Open. After back-to-back wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, Scheffler was poised to extend his streak to 29 rounds under par.
However, the challenging afternoon wind at Memorial Park proved to be a tough test for Scheffler. A crucial moment came on the par-5 16th hole when he hit into the water with a 7-iron, forcing him to scramble for par. Despite this setback, Scheffler managed to get back to 2 under for his round with a brilliant approach shot on the 17th hole that set up a birdie opportunity.
As Scheffler approached the final hole, he found himself in a bunker to the right of the green. His sand shot nearly holed out but ultimately settled about 6 feet away. The ensuing bogey putt, however, proved to be his undoing as he missed a 22-inch putt for an even-par 70, ending his streak of rounds under par.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Scheffler acknowledged the mistake, stating, 'Obviously, a sloppy mistake there at the last. I missed the first one, I was frustrated, and hit the second one a little quick. It happens.'
Despite the disappointing finish, Scheffler remains in contention at the Houston Open, trailing Tony Finau by four shots going into the weekend. He is aiming to achieve a rare feat by becoming the first player in seven years to win three consecutive starts on the PGA Tour, a feat last accomplished by Dustin Johnson.
Scheffler's streak of 30 consecutive rounds at par or better showcases his consistency and talent on the golf course. While he still has a long way to go to match Tiger Woods' record of 52 rounds at par or better, Scheffler's performance has solidified his status as one of the top players on the tour.
As the Houston Open continues, golf fans will be eagerly watching to see if Scheffler can bounce back from this setback and continue his impressive run of form.
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