Scottie Scheffler's 18-Event Top-10 Streak Ends in Crazy Fashion at Riviera
Scottie entered the Genesis Invitational at Riviera with a staggering run of 18 consecutive top-10s on the PGA Tour, but that streak ended in dramatic fashion on Sunday when a late-day leaderboard surge by rivals dropped him to T-12. The finish highlights how fragile long streaks can be even for a World No. 1 who staged a furious comeback during the week.
Scottie's streak ends at 18 after Sunday drama
Scheffler began the week riding an 18-tournament streak of top-10s, the longest of its kind since official stats began in 1983. He found himself four over through 26 holes and in danger of missing the 36-hole cut before rallying to make the weekend. On Sunday he produced a back-nine 31 and a final-round 65 that briefly climbed him into the top 10, but he ultimately finished T-12, ending the streak at 18.
Genesis weekend: slow start, clutch putt, and the cut line
In Los Angeles at Riviera, Scheffler had another slow start for the third straight week and needed a late par save to survive. He gave a light fist pump when his final putt barely curled in on the 18th hole, a subdued reaction more typical of his wins; that putt allowed him to make the cut on the number. The par putt was about 7 feet on a green described as both spongy and speedy, and it produced a 3-under 68 that left him even-par 142 after two rounds.
The Genesis Invitational is one of three $20 million signature events that use a 36-hole cut for the top 50 and ties and any player within 10 shots of the lead. That 10-shot provision was effectively ignored when Marco Penge birdied five of his last seven holes for a 64 to post at 12-under 130, tightening the cut scenario.
How the final holes and rivals reshaped Scheffler's week
Scheffler’s late-round charge on Sunday included a birdie on No. 15 and a strong back nine, but two decisive moves by others changed his standing. Tommy Fleetwood vaulted past Scheffler after an eagle hole-out from 173 yards on No. 15, and Cameron Young birdied his final three holes to move ahead as well. Those swings pushed Scheffler down to a T-12 finish and ended his streak of consecutive top-10s at 18.
Broader recent form: slow starts and recoveries
Recent weeks showed a pattern of slow starts followed by stronger finishes. Scheffler opened with a 2-over 73 at the Phoenix Open and responded with a 65 to finish one shot out of a playoff. The previous week he began with a 72 at Pebble Beach and at one point was 13 shots behind on Friday before a 67-63 weekend that produced a tie for the lead. At Riviera he made two birdies Friday morning to complete a rain-delayed first round with a 74, matching his high score at the venue.
Those middling openings contributed to the stretch in which this was the first time since his rookie season in 2020 that he had three straight tournaments failing to break par in an opening round.
Career context at Riviera and durability in cuts streaks
Scheffler acknowledged a difficult relationship with Riviera; in five previous appearances his best week left him seven shots out of the lead and the other four appearances finished nine shots behind. Still, he extended his cuts streak to 68 tournaments, a run dating to the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August 2022 and currently the longest active streak on the tour.
What Scheffler said and immediate takeaways
Scheffler emphasized that he does not quit in PGA Tour events and that competing is what he loves. He noted the advantage of going out early on fresh greens with less wind and said he took advantage of those conditions, adding that he had another solid day. He also used the word "battled" to describe recent weeks, saying it was nice to hole a putt and get another couple of rounds to see what he could do.
A T-12 at a signature event is a respectable result even as it marks the end of a historic streak. The Riviera finish underscores both Scheffler’s resilience—rallying from four over through 26 holes to make the weekend—and how quickly leaderboard dynamics can erase a career-best run when others produce late heroics.
Unfinished detail in the available account
The provided account notes that Scheffler was 4 over for the tournament with 10 holes to play when he stuffed his approach on No. 9 to 3 feet for—unclear in the provided context.
