CNN
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Scottie Scheffler won his second Masters title in style on Sunday, cementing the American's status as the preeminent force in men's golf.
The world No. 1 was unwavering at Augusta National, fending off multiple challengers to finish four strokes behind Sweden's Ludwig Øberg and extend his 2022 victory even further.
Scheffler, who entered the 88th tournament as the odds-on favorite, proved the bookmaker's decision correct and finished with a 4-under 68, moving his total to 11 under, his third win in just over a month and a 3.6 won a dollar. Worth $1 million of the Masters record total prize money of $20 million.
Undeterred by the ferocious winds that have swept away many of his big-time rivals this week, at times it seemed as if only the impending firstborn could keep Scheffler from earning yet another green jacket. There was also.
The Texan has vowed to cancel the tournament if his wife, Meredith, gives birth, with her expected due date within the next few weeks.
“I'm on my way home. I'll be home as soon as I can. I love you,” Scheffler said when asked by Augusta National president Fred Ridley if he had a message for his wife.
“You're about to make me cry here in Butler Cabin. It's a very special time for both of us. I can't express in words what it means to win this tournament again. To be a father for the first time… I really can't describe what it feels like.
“I'm looking forward to getting home and celebrating with Meredith. It's been a long week here without her.”
Scheffler will have a chance for more glory next month when the men's major circuit returns to the PGA Championship (Brooks Koepka won his third last year) at Kentucky's Valhalla Golf Club.
Scheffler's ninth PGA Tour title, and third win in his last four starts, makes the 27-year-old the 18th player to win the Masters multiple times, joining Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods. He became the fourth youngest person to achieve this record. He finished 60th after 100 rounds of majors.
Woods, a five-time Masters champion who was playing in his third match after limping out of last year's tournament, navigated the rugged Augusta terrain to win a record-breaking 24 times. Although he erased any doubts about his ability to aim for consecutive appearances, he struggled on the course. weekend.
Opening with rounds of 73 and 72, the 48-year-old shot 82 for the lowest round in the tournament's history, then shot a 77 to qualify at 16 over and last.
“It's been a good week,” Woods told reporters.
“I haven't played a full tournament in a long time since I've been here, but Thursday and Friday were good fights. Unfortunately, yesterday didn't turn out the way I wanted.”
Oberg put in a great performance in his first major appearance, coming closest to Scheffler and carding a final-round 69, but he fell just short of becoming the first player since Fuzzy Zoller in 1979 to win on his Masters debut.
This will accelerate the 24-year-old's incredible rise since turning pro last June. The world No. 9, less than 100 days after ending his incredible amateur career, starred in Team Europe's Ryder Cup victory in Rome, and a month later at the RSM Classic. He won his first PGA Tour title.
“It's a dream come true to play here at Augusta National,” he said.
“It's a dream come true for you to be in a situation like this and walk down the last few holes and feel the tension and pressure. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time and to actually do it. It's very surreal to have the opportunity to experience it.
“I'm very proud of myself, my entire team, my family and everyone involved.”
American duo Max Homa and Collin Morikawa were at the top of the leaderboard alongside Scheffler and Oberg in the final round, but their challenge faltered and they finished at 4 under, seven strokes behind the winner. He has now moved into third place alongside Tommy Fleetwood.
World number two Rory McIlroy's wait for the elusive career Grand Slam continues. The Northern Irishman came close to winning all four majors at the Masters, but finished tied for 22nd at Augusta National in his 16th appearance.
Spain's Jon Rahm never seemed likely to become the fourth player to defend the Masters, but he shot below par and finished tied for 45th at 9 over, a reversal from last year's ceremony where he finished ahead of Scheffler. presented a green jacket to
Somewhat surprisingly, given his consistent brilliance on the biggest stage, Scheffler has only ever emerged as a leader once before, at a major championship on Sunday.
But, ominously for the chasing pack, that occasion happened to be at Augusta National two years ago. The Texan perfectly defended his three-stroke advantage in the final round to claim his first major title.
This time, it was a one-shot cushion that was appropriately less comfortable, and its slim advantage quickly evaporated.
By the time Scheffler was on the eighth fairway, partner Morikawa, along with Homa and the in-form Oberg, had joined him at the top of the leaderboard, birdied two of the first seven holes and quickly turned a three-shot start. finished. deficit.
Unusually, Scheffler got off to a sloppy start, missing the green and hitting one of his tee drives diagonally into a tree midway through, resulting in two bogeys.
The scent of blood was in the air for those in hot pursuit, and even when the world No. 1 made a birdie on No. 8 to correct course, his partner Morikawa quickly followed and remained even.
A series of captivating shots followed. Aberg was all smiles after curling a 36-foot birdie putt and had a brief taste of his first co-lead in a major, but Scheffler responded with a brilliant iron approach. Eagle – Set up a simple tap-in and regained the lead on the turn.
The roar grew louder as the crowd packed behind the ropes for one of Augusta National's most thrilling finales in recent memory.
Rahm had to make a comeback last year, but he quickly pulled away from Koepka, who had lost his form, and easily returned home, but Scheffler stood on the 18th tee with a five-stroke lead in the previous tournament.
But suddenly, the 2022 champion was tasked with repeating that feat. Scheffler adjusted his sights and took advantage of a nice spinning approach to make his third consecutive birdie into the 10th cup.
Fans who had been hoping for multiplayer shootouts for years soon found their concerns made even worse.
Scheffler's rise began after Morikawa tried twice to escape the bunker on the 9th hole, then dropped his shot into the water two holes later, suffering two double bogeys in a matter of minutes, just as Scheffler's partner plummeted in a tailspin. Rose.
Lined up in the lead on the 9th tee, the stunned world No. 20 headed to the 12th with a five-stroke lead.
The inexplicable suffering that befell Morikawa also affected his fellow pursuers.
Aberg's attack stalled when he joined the Americans in finding Ike at No. 11. Homa also quickly lined up for a double bogey after his tee shot on the par-3 12th was swallowed up by bushes, forcing him to drop.
The ball was still in the shrubbery when Scheffler rolled onto the same green for par shortly after, extending his lead to three.
Aberg did his best to heat things up with back-to-back birdies, but the stony-faced Scheffler held his own, extending his buffer to four strokes with his sixth birdie of the day (20th of the week). 16th par 3.
His first Masters win was a shaky four-putt, which wasn't a big deal, but there were no such blips this time. After receiving a standing ovation on his way to the 18th green, Scheffler made a simple putt for par.
After exchanging a long hug with caddy Ted Scott and shouting with joy, the world No. 1's steely face finally cracked.
