by The Masters are set to go full blast on the back nine on Sunday. Scottie Scheffler didn’t mind waiting that long. Such an approach is now so dominant for a golfer that it is apt to be compared to Tiger Woods in his prime.
Hopes were growing that Ludvig Åberg could be the first masters finalist since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 to deliver the Green Jacket. Åberg’s feat would be even more historic; he had never played in a major before starting at Augusta National on Thursday.
Related: The Masters 2024: final round at Augusta – live
From 36 feet on the 9th, Åberg produced a great moment. His stick got a birdie downhill, swinging the bottom of the cup. Galleries whooped and hollered. Moments later, Åberg was laughing along with his greenside caddy. Bare evidence of the innocence of youth. Pressure, what pressure? He was tied for the Masters lead after 63 holes. A year ago, Åberg was still in college in Texas.
Åberg’s problem at this point was the identity of the man in the group behind him. It still seems unbelievable that Scheffler’s approach to the fourth 9th didn’t go in, the path of the ball going a few millimeters over his final few rolls. A birdie three was enough to regain the individual lead. It was an advantage that Scheffler would not surrender. Or to be honest, an advantage he never considered a concession. Cheeseburgers and milkshakes are back on the champion’s dinner menu for 2025.
Scheffler had no chance before round four for a reason. One gets the impression that the 27-year-old could be covered from head to toe with a feather duster and stand completely motionless. He has now won the Masters twice in his last three attempts, in addition to becoming the first golfer to defend the Players Championship. Since February 2022, Scheffler has won nine trophies with three in his last four starts. Its wider results, a collection of the best provinces, point towards unparalleled consistency. As the golf world descended into civil war and chaos, this quiet man became the imperious figure within the ropes. He collected the equivalent of the GDP of a medium-sized country in the process. From Augusta National, another $3.6m. Woods, in 2005, was the last pre-championship that prevailed with azaleas as a backdrop until now.
Scheffler’s 68 was enough for a four-shot victory. In occasional wild situations, he reached 11 under par. Scheffler’s worst score in this Masters edition was 72. 69 from Åberg earned second place.
Amen’s Corner gritted his teeth. The most visually stunning stretch of golf holes remains such a threat. Collin Morikawa was in touch and went on to double bogey the 11th. Max Homa hit his tee shot at the 12th into a bush; The level of punishment was two strokes, too. Åberg, like Morikawa, walked a hole earlier. The Swede found water with his second shot. Incredibly, Scheffler bogeyed the 11th but looked to extend his lead to three as the kill played out elsewhere.
Åberg responded in a manner befitting his elevated status. He collected a shot at the 13th to edge back to within two of the world No. Scheffler’s four on the same hole allowed him back due to an error. Back came Åberg, courtesy of a birdie on the tricky 14th. Scheffler was now relishing the battle; He dropped an iron to within tap range to put himself three ahead with four to play. Åberg’s loose drive at the 15th prevented him from capitalizing on the five-pointer. When Scheffler birdied the short 16th, Åberg was four adrift. Good night, Vienna.
Tommy Fleetwood’s bogey-free 69 moved him into a tie for third at four percent. The English position would have been even better, but with a long birdie attempt at the 16th that hit the flag and somehow stayed above the ground. Still, this is Fleetwood’s best masters finish for a long time. Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith closed at minus two.
-
Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play Store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
-
If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the latest version.
-
In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
-
Turn on sports ads.
Rory McIlroy found himself in precisely the situation he would have preferred to avoid, assessing the strengths of others as this major wound down. A 73 means McIlroy shares 22nd place. He was pragmatic, admitting that technical issues are undermining his prospects. McIlroy will also quietly realize that a grand slam career awaits. McIlroy smiled when asked what was on Scheffler’s mind as he pushed everyone before him. “Nothing,” McIlroy explained. “Not much clutter. The game feels pretty easy when you’re in chunks like this.
“That’s the difficult thing whenever you’re not in full form. You’re searching and you’re thinking about it a lot but then when you’re in form, you don’t think about it at all.” McIlroy will bounce back, no question about that. We are living in the age of Scottie Scheffler, though. Woods will surely comply with approval.
