Day: April 15, 2024

Masters leaderboard, winner: Scottie Scheffler’s patience begets second green jacket in three years Scheffler displayed a disciplined approach that, combined with extraordinary ball striking, turned Sunday into an epic coronation at Augusta National Golf Club AUGUSTA, Ga. — Three straight birdies at the turn made the inevitable reality as Scottie Scheffler pulled away from a packed leaderboard at the 2024 Masters to become the 10th man in history to claim two green jackets in a three-year span. The 27-year-old Scheffler, spending his 82nd straight week as the No. 1 golfer in the world, left no doubt Sunday that what was already known is indeed true: every golf tournament he plays goes through him. Scheffler finished 11 under — four strokes clear of the field — after entering the 88th playing of the Masters as an overwhelming favorite. He did nothing to dissuade his supporters over the first three rounds, either leading or staying within a single stroke after 18, 36 and 54 holes entering Sunday’s finale. Once a two-stroke lead after three holes became a four-way tie entering the turn Sunday, Scheffler flipped a switch and never looked back. He added to that three-birdie stretch from Nos. 8-10 by scoring three more on the 13th, 14th and 16th to keep Ludvig Åberg (-7) — finishing second while playing in his first career major championship — at arm’s length. “It’s a difficult golf course to close out a win on,” Scheffler explained. “You can’t play overly defensive. … You have to play to the correct spot and hit really good golf shots. I did that to the best of my abilities today and was fortunately able to hit some really key shots and make some nice birdies there on the back nine. Really, from hole 8 on, I played really, really nice golf.” Scheffler on Sunday became the 18th man to win two Masters and the first to do so over a three-year span since Bubba Watson (2012, 2014). He is also the fourth-youngest two-time Masters champion and the eighth golfer to win the first two major championships of his career at Augusta National.  With the 2024 tournament being his fifth Masters appearance, Scheffler is the second-fastest to have green jackets take up two hangers in his closet, the quickest to the achievement in 88 years (Horton Smith, third appearance, 1936). Despite how simple Scheffler can make the game look, this Masters was anything but easy for the top name in the game. His iron play wasn’t at his usually excellent level for most of the week, his tenor was tested plenty — his pregnant wife and best friend not by his side like usual, instead at home days or weeks away from giving labor — but when the correct shots in the correct moments were called upon, Scheffler answered. Fighting his swing early on Sunday, Scheffler found himself in a dog fight with Åberg, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa all nipping at his heels. Scrambling saves were required to maintain his lead as he missed greens both short and long. An uneasy feeling, Scheffler’s short game took matters into its own hands. At its best when the tournament is often its tensest, his soft touch produced a stunner on the third from the bunker for his first birdie of the day. His pursuers purred and had their moments, though. Åberg turned in 33 to touch the lead, Morikawa answered a Scheffler birdie on No. 8 with one of his own, and Homa lashed a mighty approach into 10. The peloton was formed with 10 holes to play, and the thought of four of the best players in the world jostling through the second nine at Augusta National on Sunday raced through the minds of many. Unfortunately his peers, Scheffler raced away from the three-player pile up. First, it was Morikawa who couldn’t keep up as the two-time major champion needed two from the greenside bunker on No. 9 and ultimately carded a double bogey. Another followed on the 11th when his second found a watery grave. Åberg had crashed just before them with the same fatal mistake. The Masters rookie battled back, it was too little too late. He ultimately became the third debutant in the last five years to finish runner-up. Homa stood as Scheffler’s last real threat as he sent a prayer into the air on Amen Corner’s treacherous par-3 12th. It wasn’t answered as Homa’s ball traveled a yard too long, took a firm bounce and found a bush. Another double bogey ensued. While others took the bait and got greedy, Scheffler displayed discipline. While others tried to tame a brutally difficult Augusta National, Scheffler stayed patient. While others’ emotions got the best of them, Scheffler remained calm. Scheffler’s superpower, his mental game, shined through when it mattered most. His ball striking gets praised and his short game is respected, but Scheffler’s greatest strength has nothing to do with the club in his hand an

Masters leaderboard, winner: Scottie Scheffler’s patience begets second green jacket in three years Scheffler displayed a disciplined approach that, combined with extraordinary ball striking, turned Sunday into an epic coronation at Augusta National Golf Club AUGUSTA, Ga. — Three straight birdies at the turn made the inevitable reality as Scottie Scheffler pulled away from a packed leaderboard at the 2024 Masters to become the 10th man in history to claim two green jackets in a three-year span. The 27-year-old Scheffler, spending his 82nd straight week as the No. 1 golfer in the world, left no doubt Sunday that what was already known is indeed true: every golf tournament he plays goes through him. Scheffler finished 11 under — four strokes clear of the field — after entering the 88th playing of the Masters as an overwhelming favorite. He did nothing to dissuade his supporters over the first three rounds, either leading or staying within a single stroke after 18, 36 and 54 holes entering Sunday’s finale. Once a two-stroke lead after three holes became a four-way tie entering the turn Sunday, Scheffler flipped a switch and never looked back. He added to that three-birdie stretch from Nos. 8-10 by scoring three more on the 13th, 14th and 16th to keep Ludvig Åberg (-7) — finishing second while playing in his first career major championship — at arm’s length. “It’s a difficult golf course to close out a win on,” Scheffler explained. “You can’t play overly defensive. … You have to play to the correct spot and hit really good golf shots. I did that to the best of my abilities today and was fortunately able to hit some really key shots and make some nice birdies there on the back nine. Really, from hole 8 on, I played really, really nice golf.” Scheffler on Sunday became the 18th man to win two Masters and the first to do so over a three-year span since Bubba Watson (2012, 2014). He is also the fourth-youngest two-time Masters champion and the eighth golfer to win the first two major championships of his career at Augusta National.  With the 2024 tournament being his fifth Masters appearance, Scheffler is the second-fastest to have green jackets take up two hangers in his closet, the quickest to the achievement in 88 years (Horton Smith, third appearance, 1936). Despite how simple Scheffler can make the game look, this Masters was anything but easy for the top name in the game. His iron play wasn’t at his usually excellent level for most of the week, his tenor was tested plenty — his pregnant wife and best friend not by his side like usual, instead at home days or weeks away from giving labor — but when the correct shots in the correct moments were called upon, Scheffler answered. Fighting his swing early on Sunday, Scheffler found himself in a dog fight with Åberg, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa all nipping at his heels. Scrambling saves were required to maintain his lead as he missed greens both short and long. An uneasy feeling, Scheffler’s short game took matters into its own hands. At its best when the tournament is often its tensest, his soft touch produced a stunner on the third from the bunker for his first birdie of the day. His pursuers purred and had their moments, though. Åberg turned in 33 to touch the lead, Morikawa answered a Scheffler birdie on No. 8 with one of his own, and Homa lashed a mighty approach into 10. The peloton was formed with 10 holes to play, and the thought of four of the best players in the world jostling through the second nine at Augusta National on Sunday raced through the minds of many. Unfortunately his peers, Scheffler raced away from the three-player pile up. First, it was Morikawa who couldn’t keep up as the two-time major champion needed two from the greenside bunker on No. 9 and ultimately carded a double bogey. Another followed on the 11th when his second found a watery grave. Åberg had crashed just before them with the same fatal mistake. The Masters rookie battled back, it was too little too late. He ultimately became the third debutant in the last five years to finish runner-up. Homa stood as Scheffler’s last real threat as he sent a prayer into the air on Amen Corner’s treacherous par-3 12th. It wasn’t answered as Homa’s ball traveled a yard too long, took a firm bounce and found a bush. Another double bogey ensued. While others took the bait and got greedy, Scheffler displayed discipline. While others tried to tame a brutally difficult Augusta National, Scheffler stayed patient. While others’ emotions got the best of them, Scheffler remained calm. Scheffler’s superpower, his mental game, shined through when it mattered most. His ball striking gets praised and his short game is respected, but Scheffler’s greatest strength has nothing to do with the club in his hand an