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
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER WINS THE MASTERS
It takes some mental fortitude to live up to the billing in such a dominant fashion. Scheffler came in as the heavy favourite and, at the end of it, he showed just why.
He’s now a two-time Masters winner and fourth-youngest to achieve that feat, behind Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros.
He’s also the first player since Tiger Woods to claim the Players and the Masters in the same season.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER WINS THE MASTERS
The first real signs of emotion from the American as he lets out a roar after sharing a poignant moment with his caddie Ted Scott who has now won his fourth Masters.
Scottie’s pregnant wife Merideth is watching on from home but he celebrates with the rest of his family who are waiting beyond the green as he makes his way to sign his card and make it all official.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER WINS THE MASTERS
Scheffler -11 (6), Morikawa -5 (74)
More short-game excellence from Scheffler as he cosies his chip up to within tap-in range. Finishing with aplomb.
Morikawa digs his well out of the sand and manages to avoid a double bogey with a good final putt. He gave it all he could be a few closing mistakes saw him fade away.
But the stage is clear for Scheffler, now, as he taps in to become the 2024 MASTERS CHAMPION!
Safely down the last
Scheffler -11 (17), Morikawa -5 (17)
It’s into the fairway bunker but away from the trees for Scheffler. That’s all that matters. He launches it up greenside and will try and get up and down for a closing par. Not that it matters, in truth.
Morikawa’s drive clatters off the trees and he has to punch out sideways. It’s a lusty blow with the fairway metal but it’s just short and in the greenside sand.
But now it’s about Scheffler as he begins his procession up the 18th fairway as the patrons gather around the green to welcome him.
The penultimate duo wrap up
Homa -4 (73), Aberg -7 (69)
Homa’s birdie effort flies by and it’s a one-over-par 73. Not the weekend he would have hoped for, particularly, with the putter but so many encouraging signs. For so long he didn’t contend at the majors - that can’t be labelled at him now.
And what about Ludvig Aberg. Masters debut, major debut. Solo second. His ascent since turning professional is staggering and he’ll be back to contend again in the future, that is for sure. A three-under-par round of 69 for the Swede.
Up the last we head
Homa -4 (17), Aberg -7 (17)
First with Homa and Aberg. The American is on the dancefloor in two, while Aberg goes from fairway bunker to greenside bunker and will need to get up and down to save par.
A great effort from the pair of them today, at times pushing Scheffler all the way. But two fatal errors - at 11 and 12 respectively - ultimately proved too costly.
Almost another for Scheffler
Scheffler -11 (17), Morikawa -5 (17)
Another superb iron into the green and another great look at birdie for Scheffler...just misses. That was a great roll but it just didn’t drop.
Morikawa, too, misses out with a good look at birdie and the final pair head up the last.
Scheffler leads by four.
Schauffele and DeChambeau finish off
Schauffele -1 (73), DeChambeau -2 (73)
Not the final round that either was hoping for. Schauffele continues his impressive track record at Augusta, while it’s a timely return to major championship form for Bryson.
Bogey for Homa
Homa -4 (17), Aberg -7 (17)
The steam has run out of this penultimate duo, in particular Homa who finds himself in the sand after his iron comes up short. The American can’t get up and down and it’s a bogey to drop him back to -4.
Aberg taps in for his par to remain in second.
Scheffler on the brink
Scheffler -11 (16), Morikawa -5 (16)
And that could be that. Another beautiful iron into the 16th green and he makes no mistake, rolling in another birdie - his third in four holes - to extend his lead to four.
What a clinical display in the closing stages from the undisputed best player on the planet. Just two to go now as Morikawa two-putts well for his par.
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