Scheffler made a 25-foot birdie putt that had just enough momentum to tumble in, before Cantlay missed an 11-foot birdie try to extend the drama.

Scheffler birdied four of the final six holes for a four-under 67 to match Cantlay at 16-under 268 at TPC Scottsdale.

Cantlay, playing a group ahead of Scheffler, had a bogey-free 67.

Scheffler broke through in his 71st PGA Tour start.

Before Sunday, the 25-year-old's biggest professional highlights were beating Jon Rahm in September in the United States' Ryder Cup victory at Whistling Straits and shooting a 59 in the 2020 Northern Trust.

Nine strokes back entering the weekend, Scheffler shot a 62 on Saturday to pull within two strokes of leader Sahith Theegala and get into the final group for Sunday.

Theegala, the rookie who took the lead into the day, lost a share of the top spot with a bogey on the par-4 17th after driving left into the water.

The 24-year-old shot a 70 to tie for third at 15-under with last year's winner Brooks Koepka (69) and Xander Schauffele (68).

Billy Horschel (66) and Alex Noren (68) were 14-under, with Justin Thomas (66) another stroke back with two-time winner Hideki Matsuyama (69).

Rahm had a 67 to tie for 10th.

Best of the Australians was Adam Scott (72), who birdied 15, 16 and 17, to be five-under in a share of 39th while Matt Jones (71) was tied for 58th at one-under.

Meanwhile, Carlos Ortiz brought the wild 16th hole to life for the second consecutive day with an ace.