Tiger aims for ‘one more’ as Scheffler, McIlroy start side by side at Masters

TOP-RANKED Scottie Scheffler and world No 2 Rory McIlroy, each chasing a milestone Masters victory, will be playing partners in the first two rounds starting today at Augusta National.

Reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele, the world No 5 seeking his first Major title, will complete the feature trio from the field of 89, which includes 20 Masters newcomers.

Scheffler, fancied by odds-makers, could join 15-time Major winner Tiger Woods as the only players to win the Masters twice while ranked world No 1.

The 27-year-old American has seven top10 finishes in eight starts this year, including wins at The Players Championship and Arnold Palmer Championship.

But Scheffler’s trademark discipline and composure won’t let him ponder the impact of a second green jacket in three seasons.

“I try not to look too far into the future,” he said. “I’m excited about how I’ve been playing to begin this year. All I’m trying to do is put myself in contention in the tournament, and hopefully finish it off. I really am not looking much past tomorrow. I’m focused on my preparation.”

McIlroy, a four-time Major winner from Northern Ireland, knows all too well that a Masters triumph would complete a career

Grand Slam. It’s the 10th time he has tried to finish the feat since winning his most recent Majors in 2014.

“I’ve already got most of my prep work done, so it’s just about going out there and being relaxed and being in the right frame of mind,” McIlroy said.

“The more I can do that, the more I’ll be able to execute on the golf course.”

McIlroy, a 2022 Masters runner-up to Scheffler, has six top-10 finishes in his past nine starts at Augusta.

Woods, a five-time Masters winner, is trying to make a record 24th consecutive Masters cut, surpassing the current mark he shares with Gary Player and Fred Couples.

The 48-year-old American says he still has what it takes to match the record six green jackets won by Jack Nicklaus, despite severe leg injuries from a 2021 car crash and ankle surgery in April last year.

“If everything comes together, I think I can get one more,” Woods said.

Woods admits he is in pain every day, an ill omen as he struggles to walk 72 holes at Augusta National.

Third-ranked Jon Rahm will try to join Woods, Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only players to win back-to-back Masters titles. He’s among 13 players from the LIV Golf League in the Masters field. | AFP