{"id":1242630,"date":"2023-03-21T15:34:02","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T15:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/scottie-scheffler-loves-match-play-format-ahead-of-title-defence-in-austin\/"},"modified":"2023-11-29T18:55:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T18:55:41","slug":"scottie-scheffler-loves-match-play-format-ahead-of-title-defence-in-austin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/scottie-scheffler-loves-match-play-format-ahead-of-title-defence-in-austin\/","title":{"rendered":"Scottie Scheffler \u2018loves\u2019 match play format ahead of title defence in Austin"},"content":{"rendered":"
World number one Scottie Scheffler is relishing the “simplicity” of the format as he prepares to defend his title in what will be the last WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play event.<\/p>\n
The tournament has been the only regular match-play event on the PGA Tour since its creation back in 1999 and has been staged at Austin Country Club since 2016.<\/p>\n
Scheffler was runner-up to Billy Horschel in 2021 and went one better 12 months later, defeating Kevin Kisner in the final to win for the third time in five starts and move top of the world rankings for the first time.<\/p>\n
Two weeks later Scheffler won his first major at the Masters and the 26-year-old returns to Austin in similar form after defending his WM Phoenix Open title in February and winning the Players Championship earlier this month.<\/p>\n
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Scottie Scheffler celebrates after winning The Players Championship at Sawgrass (Eric Gay\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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“Good to be back in Austin,” Scheffler told a pre-tournament press conference.<\/p>\n
“One of our favourite places to come visit, definitely one of our favourite tournaments of the year, and looking forward to this week. I love match play. I like the simplicity of it.<\/p>\n
“All you have to do is just go out there and try and beat the guy that’s in front of you and if you don’t, you lose, and if you beat him, you win. So the simplicity of it is what I enjoy.<\/p>\n
“This calendar year I’ve played some really solid golf and I’ve been in contention a good amount and been fortunate to come out with two wins. I’m hoping to continue that trend moving forward.<\/p>\n
“My memories from the tournament last year were I started to play better as the week went on.”<\/p>\n