Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler dominated the final nine shootouts to win his second Masters title on Sunday, earning a four-shot victory at Augusta National.
Scheffler, who also won the green jacket in 2022, took home a record $3.6 million first prize after a drama-filled battle with fellow Americans Collin Morikawa and Max Homa and Swede Ludvig Aberg, who made Impressive major debut.
“I can’t express in words what it means to win this tournament again,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler birdied three of the final six holes to shoot a four-under par 68 and complete 72 holes on the iconic 7,555-yard layout on 11-under 277 with Aberg shooting 69 to finish second at 281.
Morikawa, a two-time major winner, scored a final score of 74 to share third place out of 284 with Homa and England’s Tommy Fleetwood.
A champion once again. #the Masters pic.twitter.com/iQtyCyNekc
– The Masters (@TheMasters) April 14, 2024
“I did my best to stay calm out there. I tried to stay patient during the course,” Scheffler said. “I hit some key shots and key putts to continue my round.”
Scheffler tied Tiger Woods as the only player to win the Masters twice while atop the world rankings.
He also became the fourth-youngest multiple Masters winner at age 27 behind Woods, Jack Nicklaus and the late Seve Ballesteros.
“Scottie is an amazing golfer,” Homa said. “It is really impressive.”
Scheffler, who hasn’t played a round above par since last August, has the second fewest Masters starts among all two-time winners with five. Only Horton Smith needed less, winning two of Augusta’s first three titles in the 1930s.
Aberg pressured Scheffler throughout the match, but was unable to catch him.
“Ludvig played very well,” Scheffler said. “He made a good shot against me on the back nine and I was lucky to hold him off.”
Scheffler had grabbed a four-shot advantage but made a bogey at the 11th while Aberg moved to within two with a birdie at the par-5 13th.
After Scheffler sank a three-foot birdie putt at the 13th, Aberg responded with a five-foot birdie putt at the 14th to stay within two.
“It was a dream come true to be in that situation, to feel the pressure coming down the last few holes,” Aberg said.
Scheffler responded with a birdie at the 14th and a nine-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th to secure the victory.
What a victory. #the Masters pic.twitter.com/kxtCFZgmMd
– The Masters (@TheMasters) April 15, 2024
Scheffler was greeted on the 18th green with a standing ovation from spectators delighted with his shooting talent.
A crucial sequence of three birdies by Scheffler following a bogey at seven was his most spectacular shot.
After a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-5 eighth, Scheffler launched an incredible 89-yard second shot at the ninth that rolled down a slope inches from the hole to set up a birdie to take the solo lead.
“It was nice to have the feeling of hitting a really well-struck shot and it allowed me to have a really good back nine,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler added a nine-foot birdie at 10, reaching 9 under and increasing his lead to two shots while his rivals suffered double bogeys.
Morikawa made a double-bogey at the ninth after finding pine straw and a bunker and another at the 11th knocked him out of contention.
“I got greedy on 9 and 11. When you play well, you get greedy,” Morikawa said. “Greed got the best of us.”
Aberg sunk his second shot at 11 into a pond and made a double bogey, spoiling his bid to become the first Masters winner since 1979.
“I came away very nervous. I was shaking on the first tee,” Aberg said. “Hitting in the water on the 11th was not ideal.”
Homa, seeking his first major victory, hit an unplayable ball into the flowers above the par-3 12th en route to his double bogey.
Tiger eyes four majors
100 competitive rounds and 24 consecutive cups completed. Tiger Woods’ legacy at Augusta National continues to grow. #the Masters pic.twitter.com/ipsbMHSNZ7
– The Masters (@TheMasters) April 15, 2024
Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, who needs just a Masters victory to complete a career grand slam, shot a 73 to finish with 292.
“It’s not my year this year, but I’m going to keep coming back until it’s my year,” McIlroy said.
Third-place Jon Rahm, the 2023 winner, shot a 76 to finish with 297.
Woods shot 77 to finish 60th at 304 on 16. He said he plans to play the other three majors of the year.
“I hope the next three my body cooperates,” Woods said.
