An emotional Scottie Scheffler couldn’t wait to leave Augusta National after winning his second Masters title on Sunday, saying the birth of his first child is about to change his priorities in life.
Scheffler showed why he was the pre-tournament favourite by securing his second green jacket in three years, pulling clear on the back nine in the final round to clinch a four-shot victory.
The 2022 champion made a slow start to his fourth round with major debutant Ludvig Aberg, as well as Max Homa and Collin Morikawa, lurking behind him.
Read our other sports news stories here:
Man Utd results ‘not enough’ to finish in top four of Premier League, Ten Hag accepts
Grand National 2024: Winner I Am Maximus “unbelievable”, says jockey Paul Townend
UFC Manchester 2024: White speaks out on date for massive MMA event in UK
There was briefly a four-way tie for the lead when Scheffler salvaged par at the seventh, but a run of three straight birdies from there helped him pull clear as his challengers lost ground.
A superb tee shot at the three-par 16th set up another birdie as Scheffler extended his lead over Aberg to four shots, and he held his nerve to shoot par on the final two and clinch victory.
On his way to victory at the 88th Masters Tournament, Scottie Scheffler put on a virtuoso performance. #THEMASTERS PIC.TWITTER.COM/EHON8VH8VM
— The Masters (@TheMasters) APRIL 15, 2024
Speaking after the championship ceremony, Scheffler said his main focus was on returning to Texas, where his wife Meredith is due to give birth in the coming weeks.
“I can’t put into words what it is like to win here again and what it will be like to become a father for the first time,” the world number one said. “All I can think about is getting home. It is a special time for us.
“I will go home, soak in this victory and enjoy the birth of my first child. I am looking forward to celebrating with Meredith – it’s been a long week without her.
“My priorities will change very soon. My son or daughter will be the main priority, along with my wife. Golf will now be probably fourth in line.
“I’m not going to intentionally take my eye off the ball, I still love competing. I love winning. I hate losing.”
Goodnight from Augusta National.
The 2025 Masters begins Thursday, April 10. #THEMASTERS PIC.TWITTER.COM/TVVDD12LSQ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) APRIL 15, 2024
Aberg finished seven under for the weekend in second, with Tommy Fleetwood joining Homa and Morikawa for a share of third, three shots back from the Swede.
The 24-year-old saw his hopes of a stunning success dashed when he found the water on the 11th, but he recovered from that double bogey with birdies on the 13th and 14th to put distance between himself and the other chasers.
Aberg said a memorable weekend had only strengthened his resolve to win a major in the future, saying: “Everyone in my position wants to be a major champion, wants to be world number one and I am no different.
“It’s been that way ever since I picked up a golf club. This week solidifies that a lot of those things are there.
“Scottie is an unbelievable player and he’s proven it again and again. He makes us better – and he makes you want to beat him.”
Ludvig Åberg, solo second. #THEMASTERS PIC.TWITTER.COM/NKJUUBT7RP
— The Masters (@TheMasters) APRIL 14, 2024
Further down the leaderboard, early leader Bryson DeChambeau secured a share of sixth – and an invite to next year’s Masters – at two under, but it was a difficult weekend for Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Tiger Woods.
McIlroy never looked like challenging for a maiden title at Augusta as he finished 15 strokes behind Scheffler, his final-round 73 containing three birdies and four bogies.
Defending champion Rahm recorded his highest total in eight Masters appearances by shooting 76 on Sunday, a score which saw him finish nine over for the tournament, but that was still better than Woods fared.
The 15-time major champion finished 16 over, last of the 60 players to make the cut and play all four rounds, after collapsing to 82 on Saturday – his worst round at any major.
