Masters 2022 LIVE: Leaderboard and scores as Scottie Scheffler beats Rory McIlroy to win the green jacket
Follow live reaction as Scottie Scheffler sealed a dominant Masters victory after holding off a thrilling late surge from Rory McIlroy
Scottie Scheffler has won The Masters after holding off the challenge of Cameron Smith and a sublime final-round performance from Rory McIlroy at Augusta to secure a first major title.
It completes a stunning rise and caps a dominant run for the 25-year-old American, who in the space of 56 days has won his first professional tournament at the Phoenix Open, reached number one in the world rankings after a further two wins in four starts, and now claimed the green jacket.
McIlroy, who started his round at +1 and at one point this week was 13 shots off the pace, carded a wonderful seven-under-64 to claim a surprise second-place finish with the joint-lowest final round in Masters history.
His magnficant charge was sealed as he chipped in for birdie from the 18th bunker but ultimately his run came too late in the day and his wait for an elusive Masters title goes on. Scheffler wrapped his victory over the closing five holes and finished three shots clear with a total score of -10, even if required a four-putt double bogey at the last.
Follow live reaction from the final round of The Masters below:
Masters 2022: Bogey. bogey
After those two tee shots, what were the odds that it would be Scheffler that made bogey?
That’s just what has happened though, after his pitch back up hill from the bank ran a few feet long of the hole. The putt back down missed to the left and that might give Smith some hope.
But no! That was a shaky looking putt. Both players make bogey.
Masters 2022
Smith ends up right amongst the bushes at the 10th but is able to pop it out despite catching some branches on his back swing. Scheffler misses the green and finds himself down the bank to the left.
Smith plays a cracker with his third to give him a chance of par, landing his wedge to six feet.
Masters 2022
The back nine of Sunday is where they say the Masters begins. Scheffler gets us going with a super draw around the dog-leg. Smith, though, has gone too far left. This could be trouble for him.
McIlroy saves par at the 14th thanks to a brilliant chip that broke back down the slope and towards the hole. He is such a fun player to watch on this form.
And the 15th is coming up...
Masters 2022
Onto the 9th already. Scheffler and Smith have both hit nice approaches into the green, both around 10 feet from the hole.
Chances for both but they slide by.
Everyone is talking about McIlroy, though. He hits his drive at 14 down the left. He’ll be hoping that’s ok...
Masters 2022: EAGLE for McIlroy!
This is stunning from McIlroy! He carries the creek at the par-5 13th to land his second shot to within 10 feet! And with that, you just knew the eagle was going to follow - and it does!
He is now just five shots back and is -7 through 13 holes! A madness!
Morikawa follows him by eagling the 13th too.
Masters 2022: Smith scrambles for par
An important up and down for Smith, as he clings on to -7. His drive at the par-5 7th landed in the fairway bunker and his third stroke cleared the green, hitting the grandstand. From there, down a tricky bank, he was able to scramble up and down thanks to a fine chip into the front section.
Scheffler’s par was much more straight-forward.
Masters 2022: Birdie, birdie
Smith ends up being a touch further from the hole so goes first, the birdie never in doubt.
It adds extra pressure to Scheffler’s effort but he responds but also making his three.
As you were, but both players are now a shot further ahead of McIlroy - who is somehow in this.
Masters 2022
How about this. Scheffler lands a wedge at the 7th to within five feet of the hole, only for Smith to respond by knocking his approach shot to four feet.
Birdie chances coming up for both.
At the 11th, McIlroy nails a tricky putt to save his par after his chip steamed long on the tricky green. Another big save to maintain tahat momentum.
Masters 2022
Another hole down for Scheffler at the par-3 6th. Both me and Smith ended up in similar positions on the large green and were faced with long putts but they get the job done to move on.
Now how low can McIlroy go... He’s at the tough 11th hole and has kept right to avoid the water on the left.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments