Davis Riley won his first individual PGA Tour title in the Charles Schwab Challenge as Scottie Scheffler failed to mount a charge on the final day.
Riley, who won the Zurich Classic with Nick Hardy last year, took a four-shot lead into the final round at Colonial and carded a closing 70 to finish 14 under par, five shots ahead of Scheffler and Keegan Bradley.
World number one Scheffler was second, four shots behind, when the day began, but no serious challengers emerged in the final round as Riley, 27, responded to each of his four bogeys with a birdie and increased his lead to six shots. although he only reached level compared to the top nine.
“I knew coming into today it was going to be tough,” Riley said. “It’s obviously a very difficult golf course and when you have the world number 1 on your neck, it’s going to be difficult until the last hole.
“I’m proud of how I stayed in there, I fought through adversity early on, I just hung in there and played some really good golf down the stretch and I’m just super excited and proud of myself.”
Seeking a fifth victory of the season, Scheffler was three over par for his first 10 holes before making birdies at the 13th and 17th during a final round of 71.
But he was unable to close the gap on Riley, whose lead grew to seven shots after Riley’s birdie at the 11th.
Scottie Scheffler was unable to challenge Davis Riley in the final round at Colonial
Bradley was three shots down until a bogey on the final hole, where he had posted par in each of the first three rounds, leaving Riley leading by four with three holes to go. Maverick McNealy (66) was the only player to improve on Bradley’s final round, but he is only tied for 17th.
Despite Riley’s breakthrough, the tone was also somber at the just-one-day tournament. following the death of PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murraywho was entered into the event and withdrew in the second round.
Golfers and caddies wore red and black ribbons on their caps or shirts Sunday in memory of Murray, who often wore the colors of his hometown NHL team, the Carolina Hurricanes, for rounds of Sunday.
His parents released a statement revealing the cause of death, expressing their devastation and thanking golfers, the Tour and others for their support.
“It’s a very sad day in the golf world,” Riley said. “My heart goes out to him and his family. There was definitely a little extra to play for today.”
The PGA Tour continues with the RBC Canadian Open from May 30 to June 2. Watch on Sky Sports Golf and stream contract-free with NOW.
