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masters final standings |
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-11 Schaeffler (USA); -7 Aberg (Sweden); -Four Fleetwood (UK), Morikawa, Homa (USA) |
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Other selected: level Hutton (English); +4 McIlroy (NI), Fitzpatrick (UK); +9 Rahm (Spa), Willett; +16 woods |
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler admits that golf is becoming less of a priority in his life, but says his fierce determination to win means he continues to pursue it.
Scheffler had a four-stroke victory over rising Swedish star Ludwig Aberg on Sunday at Augusta National.
The Schefflers are expecting their first child between now and next month’s major tournament, the PGA Championship.
“I’m not going to intentionally take my eye off the ball,” the American said.
“I still love to compete. I love to win. I hate to lose.”
But golf wasn’t his main focus after winning his second green jacket, and the 27-year-old’s thoughts instead turned to his pregnant wife, Meredith, who was at home in Texas.
“All I’m thinking about is going home. It’s a special time for us,” said the world number one.
“I’m going home to bask in this victory and enjoy the birth of my first child. I’m looking forward to celebrating with Meredith. It’s been a long week without her.”
“My priorities will change soon. My son or daughter will be my first priority along with my wife. So golf will probably be number four,” he added, before praising Christian for the win. He mentioned the role that faith played.
It was Scheffler’s third win in the last four tournaments and second major, adding to his 2022 Masters win.
Since winning his first green jacket, Scheffler has been the best player in the world, with an unparalleled performance in nearly every metric throughout 2023, only his well-documented putting struggles marked his 18th year. It prevented him from turning consecutive top-12 finishes into victories.
Things changed when he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, becoming the first player to win back-to-back Players Championship titles, and carried that form into the Masters.
With this win, Scheffler joins Tiger Woods as the only players to win both the PGA Tour’s Major Players title and the Masters in the same season.
Caddy Ted Scott, who won the title with Bubba Watson in 2012 and 2014, called Scheffler “a different kind of special player.”
“When he called me, I didn’t think he was that good,” Scott said. “He really doesn’t have any weaknesses.”
In the final round, Scheffler held off the challenge of Aberg, who was looking to become the first Masters champion since Fuzzy Zeller in 1979, and fellow Americans Collin Morikawa and Max Homa.
Aberg only turned professional 10 months ago, but he is enjoying a meteoric rise in the game. Since then, he has won on both his PGA Tour and his DP World Tour, and played a key role in Europe’s Cup of Riders victory over the Americans in Rome.
Remarkably, this was his first major championship appearance.
The 24-year-old made an incredible birdie putt on the ninth hole and was tied for the lead with Scheffler at one point, but his hopes were dashed when he found water on the 11th hole.
Despite stumbling with a double bogey, he birdied the 13th and 14th holes and finished three spots clear of third place.
“I was very nervous and was shaking a little bit on the first tee shot,” Aberg said.
“I knew hitting it in the water at 11 o’clock wasn’t ideal, but I also just kept playing. That’s what me and my caddy Joe thought.” [Skovron] Our team has been working on it. Just keep playing no matter what happens.
“Everyone in my position wants to be a major champion and number one in the world, and I’m no different.
“It’s been like that ever since I picked up a golf club. This week it solidifies.” [that] There are many such things.
“Scotty is an unbelievable player and he’s proven that time and time again. He makes us better and he makes us want to beat him.”
