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 running out of holes
Fleetwood -4 (17)
Another good roll from Tommy but it’s another one that doesn’t drop as he heads to the 18th still at -4. A good final round but another ‘what it’ tournament for the Englishman.
Aberg gets one back
Homa -5 (13), Aberg -6 (13)
Homa has never taken that green on in two all week and opts to lay up yet again. It’s an outside look at birdie but it doesn’t drop and that will be a par. Those won’t do at this stage.
Now for Aberg. A big eagle effort...and it just misses. A great roll but it’s just a birdie. Still, back within two of Scheffler.
Eagle chance for Aberg
Homa -5 (12), Aberg -5 (12)
Wow, out of nowhere! Aberg has responded superbly since that double bogey and a beauty of a 4-iron into the par-5 13th green gives the Swede a look at eagle to get back to -7. If that drops watch out for the roar from the patrons.
Fleetwood up into fourth
Fleetwood -4 (16)
With others faltering around him, the Englishman is quietly putting together one of the best rounds from the late starters. A downhiller on the 16th...off the flag! That’s a good break for Fleetwood but it will just be a par.
Can he finish birdie-birdie and putt a score on the board?
Safe from Scheffler
Scheffler -8 (12), Morikawa -3 (12)
Many a leader has faltered at the 12th but Scheffler will not be that man. A great tee shot into the heart of the par-3 green and he’ll walk away content with a par.
Morikawa takes dead aim and gives himself a good look at birdie but it escapes on the low side and that’s just a par.
Scheffler knows in for his par - the world no.1 leads by three.
Double bogey for Homa
Homa -5 (12), Aberg -5 (12)
Aberg responds well to his double bogey with a par at the 12th but there’s nothing that Homa can do to keep the double bogey off his card. He’s been so disciplined all tournament but the American is now three back of Scheffler after that awful slice of luck.
Disaster for Homa
Homa -7 (11), Aberg -5 (11)
The American is in all sorts of bother here as his tee shot into the par-3 12th bounces over the back and into the shrubbery beyond the green. He’s got to take a drop and is facing down the prospect of a double bogey too.
From a four-way tie about an hour ago, Scheffler could soon be leading by three.
Dropped shots for Scheffler and Morikawa
Scheffler -8 (11), Morikawa -3 (11)
A great chip from Morikawa gives him a chance of escaping with a bogey but the following putt is a tame one and doesn’t even get to the hole.
Scheffler’s chip from the right leaves something to be desired and he can’t escape with his par in tact. Back to -8 for the leader.
Morikawa joins Aberg in the water
Scheffler -9 (10), Morikawa -5 (10)
The tenth claims another victim and the contenders are rapidly falling away from Scheffler. Morikawa’s is a poor swing and it’s straight in the water.
Scheffler plays safe out to the right but it’s all opening up for the 2021 champion now.
Double bogey for Aberg
Homa -7 (11), Aberg -5 (11)
As expected, the Swede can’t rustle up the necessary magic from his drop and it’s a costly double bogey which moves him back to -5 alongside Morikawa.
Homa’s long-range birdie putt goes by but he knocks the par putt in easily enough.
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