Scottie Scheffler storms to Masters win after four-way fight becomes procession

The Masters was scheduled to start on the back nine on Sunday. Scottie Scheffler didn’t bother waiting that long. Such an approach suits a golfer who is now so dominant that comparisons with Tiger Woods in his glory are entirely justified.

Hopes grew that Ludvig Åberg would become the first Masters debutant since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 to receive the Green Jacket. Åberg’s achievement would actually have been even more historic; he had never played in a major championship before teeing off at Augusta National on Thursday.

From 10 meters on the 9th, Åberg produced a stunning moment. His downhill, swerved birdie putt found the bottom of the cup. Galleries cheered and shouted. Moments later, Åberg was laughing at the edge of the green with his caddy. A powerful testament to the innocence of youth. Pressure, what pressure? He was tied for the Masters lead after 63 holes. A year ago, Åberg was still at a university in Texas.

Åberg’s problem at this point was the identity of the man in the group behind it. It still seems incredible that Scheffler’s approach to the par four 9th didn’t go in, as the path of the ball deviated by a few millimeters during the last few rolls. A birdie three was enough to regain the solo lead. It was an advantage Scheffler would never admit. Or to be honest, an advantage he never seemed willing to admit. Cheeseburgers and milkshakes will be back on the champion’s dinner menu in 2025.

It was not without reason that Scheffler had already taken the lead before the fourth lap. You get the impression that the 27-year-old could be tickled from head to toe with a feather duster and remain completely motionless. He has now won the Masters twice in his last three attempts, in addition to being the first golfer to successfully defend the Players Championship. As of February 2022, Scheffler has won nine trophies and three in his last four starts. His broader results, a collection of top five, indicate unparalleled consistency. As the golf world has descended into civil war and chaos, this quiet man has been the imperious man inside the ropes. He has collected the equivalent of the GDP of a medium-sized country. From Augusta National, another $3.6 million. Woods was the last pre-tournament favorite to prevail with azaleas as a backdrop in 2005.

Scheffler’s 68 was enough for a four-shot victory. In sometimes wild circumstances he reached 11 under par. Scheffler’s worst score in this Masters edition was 72. A 69 from Åberg came second.

Amen Corner bared his teeth. The most visually stunning holes in golf are still as dangerous as ever. Collin Morikawa had contact and continued with a double bogey on the 11th. Max Homa hit his tee shot into a bush on the 12th; two strokes was also the amount of his punishment. Åberg, like Morikawa, stumbled one gap earlier. The Swede found water with his second shot. Amazingly, Scheffler made bogey on the 11th, but saw his lead extend to three due to the carnage taking place elsewhere.

Åberg responded in a manner befitting his rising status. He collected a shot on the 13th to move back to within two of the world No. 1. Scheffler’s four on the same hole restored his margin of error. Back came Åberg, thanks to a birdie on the difficult 14th. Scheffler now enjoyed the battle; he fired an iron into tap range, putting him up three with four to play. A loose Åberg drive on the 15th meant he couldn’t take advantage of the par five. When Scheffler birdied the short 16th, Åberg was four adrift. Good night, Vienna.

Tommy Fleetwood’s bogey-free 69 catapulted him into a tie for third place at four under. The Englishman’s position would have been even better, but a long birdie attempt on the 16th hit the flagstick and somehow stayed above the ground. Yet this is Fleetwood’s best Masters finish by some distance. Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith closed at minus two.

Rory McIlroy ended up in exactly the scenario he would rather avoid, assessing the strengths of others as this great one neared its end. A 73 meant McIlroy tied for 22nd place. He was pragmatic and admitted that technical problems undermined his prospects. McIlroy will also be quietly aware that this wait for a career grand slam continues. McIlroy smiled when asked what goes on in Scheffler’s head as he crushes everyone in front of him. “Nothing,” McIlroy explained. “Not much mess. The game feels quite easy when you’re in these types of situations.

“That’s the difficult thing when you’re not in perfect shape. You’re searching and you think about it so much, but when you’re in shape you don’t think about it at all.” McIlroy will bounce back, there’s no doubt about that. However, we live in the age of Scottie Scheffler. Woods will surely nod in agreement.