Scottie Scheffler Falls Short, Opens Door for Stephan Jaeger's First PGA Tour Win at 2024 Houston Open
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler uncharacteristically missed a short birdie putt on 18 to force a playoff as Stephan Jaeger wins first PGA Tour event.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler clawed his way to 11-under, just one shot off the lead held by Stephan Jaeger, but couldn't sink a five-and-a-half foot birdie putt to force a playoff. It was the first putt of less than six feet that the Texas native missed all day.
Stephan Jaeger - one of the winningest Korn Ferry Tour players ever - held on by making nine pars across the back nine of Memorial Park for a one-stroke victory over Scheffler, Tony Finau, Taylor Moore and others.
Jaeger shot a final-round 67 for the win after four birdies and a bogey across the first nine. His back nine was clean - all pars.
The victory for Jaeger means an invitation to the Masters for the first time in his career, as well as invitations to the PGA Championship, the Sentry and access to the rest of the signature events in 2024. The German also leaps into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings and secures playing privileges on the PGA Tour through the 2026 season.
"[Scottie's] been playing some unbelievable golf," Jaeger said. "... He's such a great dude as well. It was such a blast the last couple days to kind of fight with him, and you just know he's going to have some good stuff. I just kind of tried to stay within myself, try to make some putts, try to make some birdies. The birdies kind of eluded me on the back nine, but this golf course plays a little difficult. Especially if you are right around the lead, there's just so much trouble. I'm super happy obviously with today."
Jaeger was one of five leaders entering Sunday and paired with the world No. 1 Scheffler.
Four birdies including back-to-back conversions at Nos. 8-9 with just one bogey in the front nine gave the Munich native a slight lead heading into the final nine.
Jaeger couldn't buy a birdie on the back nine as he scored par after par while players around him were making moves. Alexander Tosti got to 12-under with a birdie at the par-5 16th. Scheffler bogeyed the par-3 15th and tee'd off at 18 needing a birdie to force a playoff.
Tosti carded a bogey on his 72nd hole and fell out of contention and Jaeger and Scheffler stood in the 18th fairway separated by just one shot.
Scheffler nailed a mid-iron to just inside six feet while Jaeger's ball landed about 20 feet away, setting up what was almost certain to be a par for the leader and a birdie for Scheffler. Jaeger's birdie barely scooted by the cup for a par tap in, while Scheffler left his short put on the low side and settled for a par and share of second place.
Scheffler missed out on a chance to win his third straight PGA Tour event while Jaeger held on for his first. And out-dueled the best player in the world in the process.
