Scheffler wins after Amen Corner bares teeth
GOLF
AUGUSTA, Georgia: Unflappable American Scottie Scheffler claimed a second Masters title in three years yesterday, the world No 1 holding steady while his biggest challengers selfdestructed making their way through the infamous Amen Corner.
Scheffler, the green jacket winner in 2022, began the day with a onestroke lead over twice major winner Collin Morikawa and posted a final round of 4under 68 to finish 11under for the week, four clear of Swedish young gun Ludvig Aberg.
‘‘I did my best to stay calm out there,’’ Scheffler said after becoming the 18th player to win the Masters more than once.
‘‘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.’’
Aberg closed with a 69 to take solo second spot and cap a sensational majors debut.
Morikawa, after tumbling down the leaderboard with doublebogeys at nine and 11, recovered with birdies at 13 and 15 to help secure a share of third place with American compatriot Max Homa and Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood at 4under.
Scheffler, the red hot favourite coming into the year’s first major, leaves Augusta National as the planet’s undisputed best with three titles and a runnerup finish in his past four starts.
The performance was all the more remarkable as the 27yearold played with the added distraction of knowing he might have to return home at any moment to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
‘‘It’s a very special time for both of us,’’ Scheffler said before last year’s winner, Spaniard Jon Rahm, slipped the green jacket on him.
‘‘I can’t put into words what it means to win this tournament again.
‘‘I really can’t put into words what it’s going to be like to be a father for the first time.
‘‘I’m looking forward to getting home and celebrating with Meredith.’’
It is said the Masters does not start until the back nine on the last day, many a green jacket won or lost with a trip through Amen Corner, the treacherous threehole stretch that begins at the par4 11th.
The drama actually started a little earlier at the ninth this year where Scheffler had a tapin birdie, that he nearly holed out for an eagle, to lead by one heading into the turn.
All around Scheffler challengers were unravelling. Morikawa taking a doublebogey at nine to fall three shots off the pace.
As Scheffler was piling on the pressure with birdies at eight, nine and 10, Amen Corner bared its teeth to sink the hopes of three green jacket contenders: Aberg, Morikawa and Homa
Aberg and Morikawa found water at 11, taking doublebogeys, while Homa suffered a doublebogey at the 12th after losing his ball in the bushes.
Even Scheffler could not escape Amen Corner unscathed, his run of three birdies ending with a bogey at 11.
But a birdie at 13 allowed Scheffler to walk away from Amen Corner at 9under, holding a 3shot lead over Aberg with five to play.
Aberg, however, was not waving the white flag, undoing the damage done at the 11th with backtoback birdies at 13 and 14 to stay in sight of the leader at two back.
But Scheffler did not take his foot off the gas either, answering with a tapin birdie at 14 and another at 16 to seal the victory.
New Zealander Ryan Fox fired 3over in his final round to finish at 7over, tied for 38th. — Reuters