The Masters LIVE: Leaderboard and reaction as Scottie Scheffler wins second green jacket ahead of Ludvig Aberg
The pre-tournament favourite and World No 1 coasted to a four-shot victory as his pregnant wife Merideth watched from home expecting the couple’s first child
Scottie Scheffler has won the Masters for the second time in three years after holding off the challenge of Ludvig Aberg and Max Homa to claim the green jacket by four shots at Augusta National.
Pre-tournament favourite and World No 1 Scheffler held a one-shot lead going into the final round but held his nerve on the back nine - even as a surging Aberg and Homa briefly joined him and Collin Morikawa in a four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.
But the 27-year-old American shot three birdies in a row at the turn to pull clear, with Aberg, Homa and Morikawa all getting into trouble with double bogeys at Amen Corner. Scheffler, by contrast, coasted to victory with a near-faultless display, carding another run of three birdies in four down the stretch.
Scheffler, who won his first major at Augusta in 2022, will now return home to Texas and join his wife Merideth, who is expecting to give birth to the couple’s first child later this month. Scheffler said he would have been prepared to leave the tournament early if necessary
The 24-year-old Aberg continued his stunning rise as a professional, meanwhile, as the Swede finished second on his Masters debut. Aberg, who shone for Europe in the Ryder Cup last year, would have been the first-ever debutant victor at the Augusta were it not for Scheffler.
Follow all the reaction as Scheffler claimed his second Masters title at Augusta
What a day for amateur Neal Shipley
Woods +15 (11), Shipley +10 (11)
The 23-year-old has already wrapped up the low amateur prize after he was the only one to make it through to the weekend. The American struggled in round three but has a dream pairing with Tiger Woods today and is making the most of it.
Birdies at 7 and 8 have him one under par for his round as the pair head to the 12th tee.
Upcoming tee times
Some more players starting to make their way out for their final rounds, including Rory McIlroy alongside LIV golfer Joquin Niemann.
1705: Ryan Fox, Rickie Fowler
1725: Danny Willett, Adam Scott
1735: Will Zalatoris, Tyrrell Hatton
1745: Rory McIlroy, Joaquin Niemann
1755: Matthieu Pavon, Sepp Straka
1805: Matt Fitzpatrick, Patrick Reed
1815: Adam Schenk, Chris Kirk
1825: Patrick Cantlay, Lucas Glover
Defending champion Jon Rahm frustrated on day three of The Masters
Jon Rahm has just got his final round underway but it’s far to say it hasn’t been the Masters defence he had been hoping for.
The Ryder Cup star was never a factor in the year’s first major and added a third round of 72 on Saturday to remain five over par after previous scores of 73 and 76.
“Yesterday was terrible,” Rahm conceded. “Today I kept in in play off the tee, which is going to do a lot. Didn’t really make any putts, did I? Gave myself plenty of chances, just didn’t make them.”
Here more of what the Spaniard said after yesterday’s round:
Defending champion Jon Rahm frustrated on day three of The Masters
The Spaniard added a third round of 72 on Saturday to remain five over par.
Hojgaard looking to bounce back
1905: Cameron Davis (-2), Nicolai Hojgaard (-2)
At one point after a birdie on the tenth during the third round, Nicolai Hojgaard led the Masters. But five holes and five bogeys later he was back in the chasing back.
The young Dane, making his Masters debut this week, will surely learn from that experience yesterday afternoon but shouldn’t be counted out just yet.
He plays alongside the impressive Cameron Davis in the fourth final group today but will need a fast start to clamber back some of the shots he lost on the back nine yesterday.
Final round odds
Understandably, Scottie Scheffler is the favourite, but here is how the bookies have priced those in the chasing pack:
Scottie Scheffler – 5/6
Collin Morikawa – 7/2
Max Homa – 15/2
Ludvig Aberg – 9/1
Bryson DeChambeau – 22/1
Xander Schauffele – 25/1
Tommy Fleetwood – 90/1
Cameron Davis – 100/1
Odds via BetMGM.
Jason Day reveals Augusta officials asked him to remove sleeveless jumper
Some fashion-related drama, in case you missed it yesterday.
Jason Day has revealed that he was asked to remove his sleeveless jumper by tournament officials during the second day’s play at Augusta National. Day’s striking top attracted plenty of attention on social media and also, it appears, from tournament officials.
“Yeah, they asked me to take it off, the vest off yesterday,” Day said after his third round on Saturday.
“Respectfully, you do that because it’s all about the tournament here, and I understand that. I respect the tournament. That’s what we’re here to do is try and play and win the green jacket.”
Asked if he had been given a specific reason for the request, such as the Malbon logo and text being too big, Day added: “I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
Jason Day reveals Augusta officials asked him to remove sleeveless jumper
The Australian golfer’s striking top attracted plenty of attention on social media and also, it appears, from tournament officials.
Bradley and Lee starting fast
Playing together, both Keegan Bradley and Min Woo Lee are -2 through their first three holes. Bradley with birdies at 2 and 3 and Lee with an eagle on the second.
It’s quite clear early on that the second hole is more gettable than in recent days so one of the chasers will be hoping to cash in with an eagle and put some early pressure on Scheffler.
Smith lurking with intent
1855: Byeong Hun An (-1), Cameron Smith (-1)
Former Open champion Cam Smith has not quite caught fire this week and remains six off it heading into the final round.
The Australian stormed through the field at Sta Andrews in 2022 to claim the Claret Jug and while need an equally impressive display if he is going to spoil the party here at Augusta.
Triply bogey for Woods
Woods +15 (6)
The 15-time Major champion is now propping up the bottom of the leaderboard after an out-out-bounds drive on the 5th hole leads to a costly triple-bogey seven.
That’s compounded by a bogey at the par-3 sixth and he now finds himself at +15 for the tournament.
Greg Norman thanks patrons for Masters support
Greg Norman, the commissioner for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, was a surprise sighting on the grounds at Augusta National this week after he was denied an invite by the tournament.
The Australian, who finished runner-up on three occasions, bought a ticket to be there this week and thanked fans for their support.
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