Scottie had a double bogey, but it was enough to get him his first major and green jacket. The time is 1:05.
Scottie Scheffler capped off an amazing two months with his grandest feat of all, winning the Masters on Sunday to validate his new status as the best player in golf.
The only blemish was at the end when he needed four putts from 40 feet before he could claim his first major.
He closed with a 1-under 71 for a three-shot victory over the record-tying final round of 64 that gave him the briefest moment of hope that Sunday pressure at Augusta National might get to him.
No chance. Not on Sunday. Not the last four days. Not the last two months.
It was 56 days ago that he was still looking for his first victory. The 25-year-old from Dallas, built for stardom from when he was a 10-year-old wearing long pants to look the part of a pro, has four wins in his last six tournaments.
The green jacket was the most important prize.
Everyone else owned the Sunday theater. The golfer overcame a nervy moment early in the round by chipping in. He delivered key putts to keep him at bay and never looked rattled, even as he was swatting at short putts at the end.
He was the runner-up. Smith felt like he let one go. The Australian was three shots out of the lead when he dumped his tee shot in Rae's Creek on the 12th hole.
Smith had a 73 and was tied for third with Lowry who had a 69.
Ian Woosnam was the only player to win a major in his debut at the top of the world in 1991.
Everyone should have been aware of this. He won the Phoenix Open in a playoff. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitation after a comeback win at Bay Hill. He won the Match Play in Texas two weeks ago to become the world's top ranked golfer.
And now this.
The prize fund was worth 15 million dollars. Over his last six starts, his total has increased to $8,872,200. After being listed as a 40-1 long shot to win the Masters, Scheffler went off as an 18-1 long shot. He was a -225 favorite in the fourth round.
The big moment came early in the round.
He started the final round with a three-shot lead and watched Smith open with two straight birdies to the cut the deficit to one, and then Scheffler's approach from the pine needles left of the third fairway came up short and rolled back down the slope.
His pitch was racing toward the hole when it banged into the pin, and he made a two-shot swing when Smith made a bogey.
The rest of the way, no one got closer than three. The contender was the only one to change.
The 12th hole is the scene of more collapses than comebacks. Smith was the latest victim.
His shot was still in the air when he let his club slip through his hands and he slowly closed his eyes as it splashed into Rae's Creek. Smith's hopes ended with a triple bogey after the next shot was not much better.
He was three behind on the 12th tee. He was eight back after three holes.
From there, there was no hope. To complete the career Grand Slam, he needed to match the best final round in Masters history and get some help from Scheffler. He had to settle for a silver medal from Augusta after only getting one of those.
The tournament never ceases to impress, according to the golfer. I was happy for both of us to finish like this, because we both played so well all day, and I was just so happy for him.
I have never heard roars like on the 18th green.
The best ones were saved.
David Purdum and The Associated Press contributed to the story.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
