🏆 History at The Players

Top stories:

• Scottie makes history, defends title at The Players

• Wyndham’s lip-out at the last

• Tour players expected to meet with the Saudis this week

1. Scottie Scheffler shot a final round 64 to win The Players Championship for a second straight year, solidifying his position as the best player in golf.

• Scheffler started his final round five shots off the lead. But a 31 on the front (including a hole-out eagle at the 4th), put him in striking position.

• A pair of late bogeys from Xander Schauffele and a brutal lip out for Wyndham Clark at the 18th helped Scheffler become the first back-to-back winner ever at The Players.

• Scheffler is now 2/2 with his new mallet putter and has won a combined $8.5 million over the last two weeks.

2. Memorable moments from an especially memorable Players Championship

• Scheffler battling a neck injury throughout the week and receiving on-course treatment.

  • His caddy, Ted Scott, didn’t think he’d make it to the weekend.

  • And rightfully so. This was the scene on Friday.

• Xander Schauffele’s back nine on Sunday, especially his missed 7.5-foot birdie putt on 17.

  • “This one sucks a little bit more,” Schauffele said after his round, referring to his T2 finish at the 2018 Players. “Just another close call.”

• Wyndham Clark’s lip-out on 18, which deserves a closer look.

  • Golf can be so cruel.

• Maverick McNealy’s handshake with his caddy after chipping-in on Saturday.

  • My take: A nice week for McNealy (T9), but this was very much a “my dad co-founded Sun Microsystems” moment.

• Rickie Fowler’s “You!”

• Jay Monahan’s boos.

• And of course, the 8-minute, on-course discussion (and subsequent Golf Channel segment) to decipher where Rory McIlroy’s drive landed on Thursday.

  • Whether his ball bounced outside the hazard line or not, McIlroy stalled out after an opening round 65, finishing T19 for the week.

3. Good posts 💯

It was a good week for the PGA Tour’s social team.

This was savage. (Watch the full video to find out why 👇)

And, this was wonderful. (The new, updated Players logo)

4. Up next: A meeting with the Saudis and the Valspar

• Members of the PGA Tour Policy Board, including Patrick Cantlay, are expected to meet with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on Monday, as part of ongoing discussions over the PIF’s potential investment.

  • During his annual “State of the Tour” address last week, commissioner Jay Monahan said he had recently met with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and that “while we have several key issues that we still need to work through, we have a shared vision to quiet the noise and unlock golf's worldwide potential."

  • Monahan added: “I do believe that negotiating a deal with PIF is the best outcome.”

• Negotiations aside, the PGA Tour heads to Palm Harbor, Florida this week for the Valspar Championship.

  • Headliners include Xander, Brian Harmon, Sam Burns, Cam Young, Justin Thomas, and Jordan Spieth.

That’s all for now! Have a wonderful week and see you back here soon. - Nick Bastone

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