Scheffler Dominates Masters Sunday
Scottie Scheffler came into the Masters as the world’s best golfer. He’s leaving Augusta National Golf Club tonight with a stranglehold on the No. 1 world ranking after an impressive final round four-under-par 68 Sunday afternoon that gave him his second green jacket in three years.
Scheffler, who began his final round tied with Collin Morikawa and Max Homa at six-under-par, finished with a 72-hole of 11-under par, four shots better than Ludvig Aberg, who was playing in his first major championship. Aberg shot a final-round 69, as did Tommy Fleetwood, who tied for third along with Morikawa and Homa, each a four-under-par.
Five-time champion Tiger Woods, who on Friday set a Masters record when he made his 24th consecutive cut, followed his third-round 82 with a final-round 77. Woods’ 72-hole total of 304 was dead last among those players who made the cut and four shots behind his Sunday playing partner, low amateur Neal Shipley.
“I’m going to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst (US Open), Valhalla (PGA Championship) and Troon (Open Championship), but that’s kind of the game plan,’’ Woods said.
The next major is the PGA Championship on May 16-19 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY.
“Just keep lifting, keep the motor going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep progressing. Hopefully the practice sessions will keep getting longer,’’ said the oft-injured Woods.
The 27-year-old Scheffler’s victory – his 12th on the PGA Tour – made him the fourth-youngest golfer to win multiple green jackets – behind Jack Nicklaus (25 years, 81 days), Woods (25 years, 100 days) and Seve Ballesteros (26 years, 2 days) were younger.
“I did my best to stay calm out there,’’ Scheffler said. “I tried to stay patient on the course and was able to make some key shots and key putts today to keep my round going. Ludvig played great today. He made a good move at me there on the back nine and I was fortunate to hold him off towards the end.
“I can’t put into words what it means to win this tournament again.’’
Day 3: Woods Shoots Himself Out of Masters Contention; Scheffler Leads Going into Final Round
Tiger Woods’ bid for a record-tying sixth Masters victory came to an ugly halt on Saturday when he posted a third-round score of 10-over-par 82 at Augusta National Golf Club. Truth be told, Woods began his third round seven shots behind co-leaders Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Max Homa, so his chances at another green jacket were slim going into the third round.
The 82 – his worst score in 26 years at the Masters – left him 18 shots behind leader Scheffler, who shot a third-round 71.
Woods began his round with par on each of the first three holes before the wheels came off with two bogeys and two double bogeys on the final four holes on the front side. Four consecutive bogeys on the back side sealed his 2024 Masters fate.
“I was not hitting it very good or putting well,’’ Woods said. “I didn’t have a very good warmup session, and I kept it going all day. Just hit the ball in all the places that I know I shouldn’t hit it.’’
Collin Morikawa’s three-under 69 on Saturday left him one shot begin Scheffler (-7), followed by Homa (-5) and Ludvig Auberg (-4).
DeChambeau, who was erratic all day, shot himself back into Sunday when he holed out for birdie from 77 yards to shoot 75 and go into the final round with a 54-hole total of three-under par.
“I just figured it was easier than putting,’’ DeChambeau joked.
Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 ranked player, termed his third round, “A good fight.’’
“The golf course was extremely challenging,’’ Scheffler said. “The greens were very firm, very fast, and it was extremely difficult again today. So probably looking for more of the same tomorrow.’’
Day 2: Shootout Coming at the Masters; Woods in the Hunt
The stage is set for a weekend shootout at the Masters. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau go into Saturday’s third round at six-under par after two rounds at Augusta National Golf Club. Homa’s second-round, one-under 71 was the low round of the three. DeChambeau, who went into the second round at seven-under-par, shot one-over 73, while Scheffler followed a first-round 66 with a second-round of even par 72.
Five-time champion Tiger Woods, finished his weather-delayed first round on Friday with a 73, shot a second-round 72. In making the Masters cut for a record 24th consecutive year, Woods goes into the weekend at one-over par – seven shots behind the leaders.
“It means I have a chance going into the weekend,’ Woods said. “I’m here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament. I got my two rounds in. Just need some food and some caffeine, and I’ll be good to go. I don’t think anyone is going to run off and hide right now, but it’s really bunched. The way the ball is moving on the greens, chip shots are being blown, it’s all you want in a golf course today.”
Homa’s 71 came playing alongside Woods.
“It really is a dream to get to play with him here,” Homa said. “I always wanted to just watch him hit iron shots around here, and I was right up next to him. It was really cool. His short game was so good. I don’t think I can explain how good some of the chip shots he hit today were.
“He understands this golf course so well, but he hits such amazing golf shots. His iron play is so good that even when he did miss the green, you could tell he had so much control. And on 18, we had sandblasts for 45 seconds, and I turned around five times so I didn’t get crushed in the face, and he’s standing there like a statue and then poured it right in the middle.
“So, all the cliches you hear about him and all the old stories about how he will grind it out, it was fun to see that in person.”
Day 1: Darkness Halts First Round at Augusta
First-round play at the Masters was suspended at 7:51 p.m. ET on Thursday due to darkness. The first round will resume on Friday at 7:50 a.m. ET. The second round will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET.
Bryson DeChambeau birdied five of his last seven holes to finish his first round at Augusta National Golf Club at seven-under-par 65. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 ranked player, finished his round at six-under 66.
Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard was at five-under par through 15 holes when play was stopped. Five-time champion Tiger Woods was also on the course when play was stopped at one-under through 13 holes.
As the tournament progresses, Tiger Woods, Jason Day, and Max Homa will face the challenge of finishing their first rounds in what is expected to be windy and cool conditions – a test for any golfer. This is particularly challenging for Woods, given his history of injuries. Additionally, he’ll have only a short turnaround before beginning his second round, adding to the drama of his performance.
When asked after he came in how his body felt, Woods gave this response:
“It’s there. The body is okay. We’ve got some work to do tonight.’
