Scheffler played his final five holes on Saturday in five under par to assume a commanding position heading into the final round.
His previous two major wins at Augusta National had been almost processions in the final round after holding the 54-hole lead. This, however, was anything but until the closing stretch.
A clumsy bogey at the first gave Scheffler’s rivals hope but, after getting his shot straight back at the second, the Texan actually led by five standing on the fifth tee, with his chasers faltering.
Around the turn, though, Rahm made his move with three birdies in four holes, and as Scheffler stumbled with bogeys on the sixth and ninth, it was suddenly all square.
But Scheffler’s composure and his ability to shoot a good score when not playing at his best are among his countless strengths – and they were demonstrated to full effect on the back nine.
Watched by his wife and infant son by the 18th green, his emotion became evident as he approached the final hole. A closing bogey was incidental with victory, his third in the past 14 majors, long since assured.
This win was Scheffler’s 15th on the PGA Tour and comes just three years and 94 days since his first. That is the third fastest since 1950, behind only Tiger Woods (three years, 32 days) and Jack Nicklaus (three years, 45 days).
More to follow.
