Scottie Scheffler sinks clutch putt to clinch Monday playoff with Viktor Hovland at stormy Travelers

CROMWELL, Conn.— Scottie Scheffler made an 8-foot par putt on the 18th hole Sunday and pumped his fist with more emotion than he showed all day, just for the right to return Monday at the rain-delayed Travelers Championship to face a sudden-death playoff against Viktor Hovland.The final round was stopped for 90 minutes as storms moved over the TPC River Highlands, and officials deemed there was not enough daylight for them to start the playoff.The playoff was to start at 9 a.m.

Monday, the first time a PGA Tour went an extra day since The Players Championship last year.“It’s more fun when you’re making the ones to win,” Scheffler said.“But to keep yourself in it is also nice.

Like I said, I live another day until tomorrow, and will be coming out in the morning and see what I can do.”Scheffler and Hovland each had birdie chances at the end.Scheffler rammed his 30-foot putt 8 feet by the hole.

Hovland’s 25-foot attempt missed by inches and he tapped in for a 69.Scheffler made his third big par putt for a 68 to match Hovland at 21-under 259.That was one shot ahead of Collin Morikawa, who closed with a 61 and was briefly tied for the lead, though it never looked as though it would be enough.Hovland, who went into the final round with a one-shot lead over Scheffler, found himself two back when play was halted by a pounding rain and lightning in the area, both of them in the fairway on the 14th hole.Hovland poured in a 15-foot birdie putt from just off the green, to get within one shot and Scheffler had to make a 6-foot par putt to stay in the lead.On the reachable par-4 15th, Scheffler’s pitch from the collar of rough — wet grass might have saved his tee shot from going in the water — raced toward the pin on the top shelf and kept right on going, over the back and down a slope.

He chipped that just onto the green and made another big par putt with Hovland in tight for a third straight birdie.That left them tied.Scheffler missed a big opportunit...