Scottie Scheffler punctuates World #1 ranking with resounding win at the Masters
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, etched his name in the annals of Augusta National once more. With a poised and calculated performance, he secured his second Masters title, joining an elite group of golfers who have earned the coveted Green Jacket twice in their careers.
The 88th Masters unfolded as a theater of brilliance, and Scheffler’s final-round 4-under 68 propelled him to victory, finishing at 11-under for the tournament.
His journey to the top was no cakewalk. Entering the final round tied for the lead, Scheffler faced stiff competition. But like a seasoned maestro, he orchestrated a symphony of birdies and pars, leaving his challengers in awe. His win was worth a staggering $3.6 million, a testament to his dominance on the global golf stage. Scheffler’s reign as the best golfer on the planet was further solidified, having clinched three wins in four events, including the Players Championship in March.
At 27 years old, Scheffler became the fourth youngest player to don two Green Jackets, following in the footsteps of legends like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Seve Ballesteros. His triumph was sweet vindication—a resounding response to those who questioned his ability to maintain peak performance.
But the spotlight didn’t belong solely to Scheffler. Enter Ludvig Åberg, a 24-year-old rookie from Sweden. Åberg’s performance at Augusta National defied convention. First-timers rarely conquer the Georgia gem, yet Åberg nearly shattered the “first-timer’s curse.” His flawless first nine holes, punctuated by birdies, propelled him into the lead, albeit temporarily. A rare miss on the demanding 11th hole cost him a chance to break the curse, but his week was a testament to young players’ readiness to compete at the highest level3.
Åberg’s hunger for more echoed through the azalea-lined fairways. “This being my first major championship,” he reflected, “you never really know what it’s going to be like until you’re there and experience it. It makes me really hungry, and it makes me want to do it again and again”.
As usual in a major, there were players that came close and absent a bad bounce here or a missed put there, night have given Scottie Scheffler a battle. Max Homa and Collin Morikawa were tied for the lead through eight holes, but each suffered catastrophic doubles – Morikawa on the ninth and Homa on the 12th – and never recovered on the back nine.
The 2024 Masters paid out a record $20 million in prize money, a testament to the tournament’s prestige and the caliber of its competitors. Ludvig Åberg’s near-miss and the emergence of young talents signaled a changing of the guard — a promise that perhaps a first-timer may soon break the age-old curse at Augusta National.
Canadian Notes: Corey Conners was +7 (295) over four rounds, good enough for a T38 finish. Adam Hadwin finished at +12 in a tie for 53rd. Mike Weir and Nick Taylor both missed the cut.
