Scottie Scheffler, golf’s steamroller, won his second Augusta Masters

Scottie Scheffler arrived at Masters of Augsburg As a big favorite and on the legendary Georgia pitch, he confirmed all the predictions and wore the traditional green jacket for the second time. The American completed the final round this Sunday four strokes under par, to finish with a score of 277 (-11) and a four-stroke lead over Swede Ludvig Åberg, his surprise runner-up. He thus repeated the celebrations of 2022 in the first Major of the calendar and added his third title in a season in which he is by far the best player in the PGA Tour. And, incidentally, he wrote his name among some great references of the sport.

The fact is that with the victory he was second in the list of players who needed fewer appearances to celebrate the double in Augusta. He achieved it in his fifth appearance in the tournament, played for the first time in 2019. The only one to have achieved it in fewer editions was his compatriot Horton Smithwho was the first champion in history in 1934, finished 19th in 1935 and repeated the celebration in 1936.

Scheffler surpassed three other Americans in that statistic, Jimmy Demaret Arnold Palmer AND Bubba Watsonwho were consecrated for the second time in their sixth participation.

At 27, the New Jersey native also became the fourth-youngest golfer to repeat the Masters victory after Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus is Spanish Severiano Ballesteros. And the second, after Woods, to become champion twice despite being number one in the world.

Eight times winner of the American circuit, the most important in world golf, Scheffler has dominated this season with impressive regularity. He played nine tournaments and finished in the top 10 in eight. And he’s won three of the last four he’s played.

On March 10 it was consecrated in Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, with a total of 273 goals, fifteen under par and five less than his compatriot Wyndham Clarkwhich was the second.

A week later, on the beach of Ponte Vedra, he defended the crown The playersconsidered the “fifth Major”, at the end of the four rounds with 268 (-20), just one ahead of Brian Harmann, Xander Schauffele AND Wyndham Clark.

He had to settle for second place Houston open, which took place in Texas two weeks ago. He was one shot behind the German Stephan Jaeger, who took the title with 268 (-12). And he returned to victory this Sunday in Augusta’s towering field of magnolias and azaleas

After completing the first three days with 66 (-6), 72 (even) and 71 (-1), Scheffler began the final day with -7, ahead of Collin Morikawa (-6) e Max Homa (-5).

He had a see-sawing first half, with three birdies and two bogeys, and even shared the lead, which kept his pursuers’ enthusiasm alive. But he was more consistent in the second section and reached the final hole with -11 (thanks to four more birdies and a bogey) and a four-stroke lead over Åberg, one of the surprises of the competition. And with the victory in her hands she didn’t hesitate, she finished in a draw and celebrated one of the most important victories of her career.