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
Fleetwood searching for a hot putter
1845: Cameron Young (-1), Tommy Fleetwood (-1)
Young and Fleetwood are the final pairing who will begin the fourth round under par and six shots back of leader Scottie Scheffler.
Both fired level-par 72s on Saturday but Fleetwood, in particular, should have been a few shots better off. The Englishman’s ball striking got him in all the right spots on Saturday but endured an ice-cold day with putter in hand.
At last year’s US Open, he shot a final-round 63 to shoot up the leaderboard - he’ll need something similar today to even stand a chance.
Final six pairings
We’ve got just under four hours until the leaders head off. As we keep an eye on those early starters in round four, let’s all begin looking at those in contention later on today.
Collin Morikawa ‘feeling comfortable’ ahead of facing Scheffler challenge
A resurgent Collin Morikawa stands as Scottie Scheffler’s biggest challenge on the final round of the Masters. The supremely accurate American is a two-time major champion having won the 2020 PGA and 2021 Open, and believes he is finding form again.
“Felt like old times, and nice to have that in the bag again,” said Morikawa. “Missed a few out there today but everything still feels comfortable. That’s the biggest thing, feeling comfortable going into tomorrow.
“If you asked me at the beginning of the week I’d be one back heading into Sunday, I would have taken that any time,” Morikawa said. “You give yourself a chance with 18 holes left, that’s all you can really do.”
Topsy-turvy start for Woods
Woods +11 (3)
Tiger is underway early on Sunday and took care of the par-five second to make birdie, but a misjudged chip into the third green saw the ball come rolling back to his feet.
A bogey five and he’s back to +11 for the tournament.
Sunday pin positions
Plenty of the classic pin positions on Sunday so some chances for birdies out there if the chasers can use the slopes on these undulating Augusta greens.
Tiger Woods underway on final round of Masters
There it is. Tiger Woods in final-day red on Masters Sunday.
It’s no surprise who the final-day patrons will be following as the fourth round gets underway at Augusta. The fairways are packed as Woods takes to the course for the last time this week, looking to improve on his difficult round of 82 yesterday. The five-time Masters champion will have plenty of support, that’s for sure.
Scheffler in ‘familiar position’ ahead of Masters Sunday
Scottie Scheffler on leading the Masters ahead of the final round, bolstered by his 2022 title and strong form coming into the Augusta National.
“It’s nice to have that experience, but going into tomorrow, that’s really all that it is. And I can reflect on some of that stuff from that round, and this is a position I’m very familiar with. I’m excited for the challenge of going and trying to win the golf tournament tomorrow.”
Scheffler says he will withdraw from The Masters if wife goes into labour
Scottie Scheffler heads into final round The Masters with a one-shot lead - but with his wife Meredith only weeks away from giving birth to their first child, the American has left a clear message that he’ll depart at a moment’s notice if necessary.
The world No.1 Scheffler will be in the final group along with Collin Morikawa on Sunday, as the 2022 champions looks to add a second Masters title.
Scheffler had wife Meredith by his side as he prepared for the final round two years ago - but the 27-year-old is faced with a very different situation this time around.
Meredith will be watching the closing day from their home in Texas, with the couple expecting their first child.
And although she is not due until nearer the end of the month, Scottie said his wife is “resting up” and that he knows if the call comes then it’s an important one - even if he’s heading into the final stretch top of the leaderboard.
Scheffler will withdraw from Masters if pregnant wife Meredith goes into labour
The world No.1 could leave early - even if he tops the leaderboard
Masters tee times as Woods among early starters
Tiger Woods is among the early starters on the final day of the Masters, following a difficult round on Saturday.
Woods slumped to a third-round 82 and starts alongside the amateur Neal Shipley.
Masters early tee times
1415: Adam Hadwin, Vijay Singh
1425: Jake Knapp, Grayson Murray
1435: a-Neal Shipley, Tiger Woods
1445: Tom Kim, Denny McCarthy
1455: Kurt Kitayama, Thorbjorn Olesen
1505: Erik van Rooyen, Eric Cole
1515: Jose Maria Olazabal, Camilo Villegas
Why does TV coverage of The Masters start so late?
Golf fans hoping to tune in to The Masters will again have to wait for full television coverage to begin as organisers stick with their traditional broadcasting model.
Established in 1934, the first men’s major of the year is held at Augusta in Georgia, with about 90 of the world’s best golfers battling to pull on the famous green jacket.
Sky Sports continues to be the exclusive live broadcast partner of the event in the United Kingdom, but while the first golfers will tee off at about 1pm BST in round two, it is not until 7.30pm that viewers will be able to watch every group live. This situation is exacerbated by plenty of big names needing to finish their first rounds on Friday morning after Thursday’s weather delay but fans won’t be able to watch.
This is due to the organisers of The Masters limiting the amount of live coverage it allows broadcasters to show.
Why does TV coverage of The Masters start so late?
Fans again have to wait for full television coverage to begin
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