Scheffler wins second Masters with commanding display
Scottie Scheffler has underlined his dominance of world golf with a second Masters triumph in three years.
The world No.1 fended off all challengers in closing with a four-under-par 68 to secure a commanding four-stroke victory over young Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg (69) at Augusta National on Sunday.
He finished with an 11-under 277 total.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Much more than shed his tag as a one-major wonder, Scheffler’s third victory of the year has placed him in Tiger Woods-like company.
He had promised to walk off the course during the final round if he got the call that his heavily pregnant wife Meredith had gone into labour.
“I’m coming home. I’ll be coming home as quick as I can. I’m about to cry here in Butler Cabin. It’s a very special time for both of us,” Scheffler said.
The American is the first player since Woods 23 years ago to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Players Championship and the Masters in the same season.
Scheffler also joins Woods as the only the player to win the US junior amateur championship and multiple Masters titles.
And at 27, he is the fourth youngest man, behind only Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros to snare at least two green jackets.
Woods meanwhile ended the Masters with a 16-over total of 304, the highest 72-hole score of his career, after a tough final round of 77.
It was the highest 72-hole score in a career that spans three decades.
Starting the day with a one-stroke buffer over countryman Collin Morikawa, Scheffler briefly lost his lead on the front nine as Morikawa, fellow American Max Homa and Aberg on his major championship debut all hit the top of the leaderboard.
But every time he opened the door, his Sunday pursuers failed to walk through it.
Aberg found a watery grave on the par-4 11th.
Homa endured a double bogey on Amen Corner after needing to take a penalty drop for an unplayable lie on the picturesque but treacherous par-3 12th.
Morikawa cruelled his chances with a double on the ninth after needing two shots to get out of a greenside bunker.
As is his wont, Scheffler found a response every time he was threatened.
There was no looking back after the world No.1 birdied the eighth, almost holed out for eagle on nine and picked up a third shot in three holes on No.10.
Former British Open champion Cameron Smith finished as the leading Australian, and equal-top LIV Golf star, in a tie for sixth at two under with Bryson DeChambeau after closing with a final-round 71.
