Stephan Jaeger admitted it felt amazing as he got the better of Scottie Scheffler to claim his maiden PGA TOUR title at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
Jaeger played the final 36 holes alongside the world number one who was bidding for a hat trick of wins and he carded a three-under 67 for a twelve-under total as he broke his duck after 135 starts.
“It feels amazing,” Jaeger said who had to watch nervously as Scheffler missed a five footer for birdie on the last to force a playoff.
“I expected him to make it, and I’m not mad at him for missing it. Obviously playing Scottie last couple days, he’s been on a tear, so to kind of slay the dragon a little bit this week was amazing. He’s such a good dude, such a good player, I was just happy to play with him a couple days.”
Jaeger has now booked himself a trip to the Masters next week and he has broken into the top-50 in the official world golf rankings for the first time.
“I was just trying to stay within myself,” Jaeger said. “Birdies eluded me on the back nine. But this golf course plays difficult, especially when you’re around the lead. I’m just super happy.
“I couldn’t have dreamed up a better week. Playing Scottie last couple days, he’s been on a tear, so to kind of slay the dragon a little bit this week was amazing. He’s such a good dude, such a good player, I was just happy to play with him a couple days.”
Scheffler thought his birdie attempt at the last was destined to fall but the world number one passed up chances on the way home, missing a 20-foot eagle putt on 16 before seeing a 12-foot birdie effort miss on 17.
“I hit two or three really good shots into 18 to give myself a chance and I feel like I made the putt and I looked up and it was breaking off,” Scheffler said.
“So a bit disappointing, but Stephan played great this week and he’s a deserving champion.
“It would be one thing if I pulled it or something like that. 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 some more speed, I felt like I hit a nice putt kind of how I wanted to, just didn’t go.”
It was a thrilling finish to the tournament with Tony Finau, Scheffler, Alejandro Tosti, Thomas Detry and Taylor Moore all finishing in second place with each player passing up chances to win down the stretch.
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