Scottie Scheffler becomes new WORLD NO 1 after beating Kevin Kisner in the WGC Match Play final

American Scottie Scheffler is the new world No 1 following a blistering six week stretch of form culminating in a victory over Kevin Kisner in the final of the WGC-Match Play Championship in Austin, Texas on Sunday.

It was his third win in his last five events and, to put the tin lid on matters, came in the city where he went to college.

Now, just a few short years later, he’s replaced Jon Rahm at the summit of the game, and no-one can say it is not deserved. Three victories on the PGA Tour is considered a fine career, let alone achieving the feat in the space of 42 days.

Scheffler won the final in the same manner that he claimed many of his matches last week, getting off to a fast start with a barrage of birdies. Kisner is the American equivalent of Ian Poulter, a man who comes alive in this volatile form of the game.

Against Scheffler the 2019 champion was seeking his 15th win in his last 16 games but there was little chance of that as his opponent quickly hit his formidable stride, going on to win by a convincing 4&3 margin.

It’s quite possible that Scheffler has peaked too early with regard to the Masters next week but, at the age of just 25, he has a game with no obvious weaknesses. Over the past six months he’s added three key weapons that have made all the difference.

The most important was self-belief, acquired with his sterling performance at the last Ryder Cup, where he was unbeaten in three matches.

He’s also added Ted Scott as caddie, a man who enjoyed success over the years with Bubba Watson, including two Masters titles. His putting has also improved considerably.

Scheffler reached the final with a sensational victory over Dustin Johnson. Five up after 11, Scheffler lost four holes in a row but showed his equable temperament with an approach to the par five 16th that did everything bar go in the hole, and sucked all the momentum from Johnson. A proper world number one, and no mistake.