Not a bad month for Scottie Scheffler: his second green jacket and, very soon, his first child.
The world's top-ranked golfer entered the final round of the Masters as the leader and overcame a four-way tie on Sunday to win at 11-under for his second victory in the tournament. He now goes from scoreboard watch to baby watch, with his wife Meredith expecting their first child this month.
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With the way Scheffler had been playing ahead of the Masters - having won two of the last three PGA events - it seemed the biggest threat to him winning another green jacket was a potential withdrawal had his wife gone into labor while he was at Augusta National Golf Club.
The father-to-be will now get home in plenty of time, and with a new addition to his wardrobe.
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"I'm coming home as quick as I can," he said after the win on CBS when asked for his message to his wife.
"It’s a very special time for both of us. I can’t put into words what it means to win this tournament again. I really can’t put into words what it’s going to be like to be a father for the first time. I’m looking forward to getting home and celebrating with Meredith."
Golf
The 27-year-old Scheffler - who also won the 2022 Masters for his first major victory - became the 18th golfer to win more than one Masters Tournament. He captured his second green jacket in just five Masters starts, the second-fewest of all-time behind Horton Smith, who won his second Masters in his third start during the 1930s.
Scheffler, who entered Sunday with a one-stroke lead, was in a four-way tie through the eighth hole with Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and Ludvig Åberg. The Dallas native birdied three-straight holes while regaining the lead at the turn. Aberg and Morikawa then each took a penalty stroke for finding the water, and Homa took one for an unplayable lie.
Scheffler shot 4-under on the day, including four birdies on the back nine, en route to his second career major win.
The 24-year-old Åberg, in his first career appearance in a major, finished second at 7-under. Morikawa, Homa and Tommy Fleetwood tied for third at 4-under.
As Scheffler continued to establish himself as the new face of golf, the sport's longtime star struggled. Tiger Woods completed his first tournament in more than a year but shot 5-over on Sunday to finish at 16-over. The five-time Masters winner recorded the highest score of those who made the cut and finished with the highest 72-hole score of his career.