Jaeger wins the Houston Open for his first PGA Tour title. Scheffler’s bid for 3 straight ends with 5-foot putt

HOUSTON (AP) — Stephan Jaeger couldn’t have imagined a better scenario for his first PGA Tour victory. He played the final 36 holes with the best player in the world and won the Houston Open on Sunday to earn his first trip to the Masters.

“It’s amazing,” Jaeger said.

Scottie Scheffler couldn’t imagine a tougher way to end his March winning streak — a clutch shot from 5 feet on the final hole and a birdie putt he thought was good until he looks up and realizes that wasn’t the case.

“I made two or three really good shots on 18 to give myself a chance and I felt like I made the putt and I looked up and it broke off,” Scheffler said. “So it’s a little bit disappointing, but Stephan played really well this week and he’s a deserving champion.”

Jaeger closed with nine straight pars, and it was just enough for a 3-under 67 to finally win in his 135th attempt on the PGA Tour.

Jaeger was preparing for the playoff after narrowly missing a 20-foot birdie putt that would have secured the victory. But Scheffler, who gave himself three good looks down the stretch, saw his putt burn the left edge of the cup.

“I expected him to pass, and I don’t blame him for missing,” Jaeger said.

Scheffler was trying to become the first player in seven years to win three consecutive starts on the PGA Tour, and he had a chance. Two shots behind, he made a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 16th and settled for a birdie. He missed from 12 feet for birdie on the 17th and stayed alive when Jaeger missed from 7 feet on the reachable par-4 17th.

His last chance was 5 feet away.

“It would be one thing if I took him out or something,” Scheffler said. “I just misread it. I don’t know why I misread it, it’s part of the game. Maybe I could have hit it with a little more speed, I felt like for making a good putt like I wanted, I just didn’t go for it.

Jaeger, a 34-year-old German who came to high school from Tennessee when he was 16, earned his first trip to the Masters with the victory. He is also competing in the other four $20 million marquee events this season.

Alejandro Tosti had the chance to become the fourth PGA Tour rookie to win this early in the year. He was tied for the lead until he went too strong on the 18th and missed the 18-foot par putt for a 68.

There was a five-way tie for the lead early on – the largest on tour since 2009 – and eight players held at least a share of the lead at some point during the round.

Jaeger was still in the mix, taking the lead with an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-3 ninth hole at Memorial Park. It was his last birdie of the day and no one could beat him.

“I was just trying to stay inside myself,” Jaeger said. “Birdies eluded me on the back nine. But this golf course is tough, especially when you’re in the lead. I’m just super happy.

Thomas Detry, David Skinns and Taylor Moore all made errors down the stretch.

Scheffler was one shot behind when he missed the green at the par-3 15th and failed to save par on an 8-foot putt, falling two shots behind with three to play. He got one back with his birdie on the downwind 16th, where Jaeger had to lay back and settle for par.

Scheffler and Jaeger both missed good birdie chances on the 17th, and Scheffler had one last chance on the 18th.

Jaeger finished at 12-under 268 and cracked the top 50 in the world rankings for the first time.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better week,” Jaeger said. “Playing Scottie the last few days he was in tears, so slaying the dragon a bit this week was amazing. He’s such a good guy, such a good player, I was just happy to play with him for a few days.

Defending champion Tony Finau closed with two consecutive birdies for a 66 and joined Scheffler, Tosti, Detry and Moore in a tie for second place.

It was the last week for players to enter the top 50 and earn an invitation to the Masters, and no one outside the top 50 – Mackenzie Hughes and Tom Hoge had the best odds – did well enough to win a square.

Byeong Hun An is the only top 50 player added to the Masters field, which now includes Jaeger.

___

AP Golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The Associated Press