Paolo Ughetti, ESPNA April 14, 2024, 9:40pm ET
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Sports usually produces the most effective underdog tales. We are simply interested in them and cherish them for a very long time. But the not-so-secret reality is that nothing beats an innate want to see and witness greatness.
The nature of golf’s persona drives this story. One participant is accountable for each shot, and the burden of each mistake and make falls on that particular person’s shoulders. This solely intensifies the peaks and valleys that the world’s finest golfers are certain to move via. But each now and again, somebody emerges who transcends the see-saw nature of the game and creates an edge that leaves followers and friends in awe.
On Sunday, at simply 27 years outdated, Scottie Scheffler established himself as a dominant drive within the sport by successful his second Masters in three years (his ninth profession and third this yr). The proven fact that he was extensively anticipated to take action made his feat much more spectacular, cementing Scheffler as somebody the game hadn’t seen shortly: Goliath.
Scheffler’s second Masters win places him amongst an elite group: Tiger Woods is the one participant to win a number of majors as world No. 1. Michael Madrid/USA TODAY Sports
“I feel his superpower is that individuals with superpowers are good at all the pieces,” Scheffler’s caddy Ted Scott mentioned. “And he appears to be good at all the pieces. He would not have any weaknesses.”
Rather a lot has modified since Scheffler received his first Masters in 2022. He is older, has a beard and can quickly be his father. But on the golf course, he obtained higher and higher.
“I really feel like I’m taking part in actually good golf proper now. I really feel like I’m accountable for my feelings as a lot as I’ve all the time been, which is sweet,” Scheffler mentioned. “I really feel like I develop as an individual on the golf course. It’s an excellent place to be.”
Before this match started, Scheffler’s inevitability might solely be mentioned in concept. His superiority was evident in each statistics and outcomes, however Scheffler might solely have excessive expectations, as a participant of his caliber is valued within the majors and is an outright favourite.
For three days, Scheffler confirmed off each a part of his full recreation: constant driving, improved placing, historic ball strikes and an underrated brief recreation. But it was on Scheffler’s ninth gap on Sunday that the sensation of inevitability grew to become actuality.
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Staring down a brief method shot from the green, he was only one shot behind Ludwig Oberg. His lengthy limbs swayed above his head as he hit the ball. It’s a snapshot of the truth that what Scheffler’s swing lacks in grace, it makes up for within the sheer precision it produces. The ball landed on the inexperienced, spun again onto an ideal slope, and practically hit the outlet.
After watching Scheffler practically gap out, go for eagle, and go away a tap-in birdie so brief he could not even take his gloves off, the inevitable chants started from patrons at Augusta National Golf Club.
“Scotty! Scotty! Scotty!”
The stroll from the ninth inexperienced to the tenth tee had an power that wasn’t there but at Augusta National. The company shouted, “It’s completed!” and “He will win!” There was extra than simply inevitability within the air for the way the remainder of the day would play out. It was a recognition that these on the bottom had been witnessing greatness.
From there, from the tee to the 18th fairway, every time Scheffler’s dragging foot touched the inexperienced, a serenade of cheers rang out as he acknowledged the magnitude of the second. The want for an exciting end was changed by a coronation.
“Today I attempted to soak up what was round me,” Scheffler mentioned. “I seemed up on the timber each now and again. I seemed up on the followers each now and again attempting to soak up somewhat little bit of their power. But I by no means obtained hooked up to the lead. I simply tried to maintain pushing.”
Scheffler has developed into skilled golf’s “full participant” with constant driving, improved placing, historic ball strikes, and an underrated brief recreation.Andrew Reddington/Getty Images
Even as his rivals crumbled round him, placing the ball into the water at No. 11 or the again of the inexperienced at No. 12, Scheffler by no means wavered. And out of the flip he simply accelerated, making 5 birdies on the second 9 and leaving everybody behind. It was a efficiency that reminded and warned. He’s the most effective participant on the planet and he would possibly simply be getting began.
“I’m truthfully simply pinching myself. I actually do not know what I’m taking a look at,” Scott mentioned. “That man is particular. He’s a unique sort of particular. I feel all of us see that, and we’re all questioning, ‘Where did this come from?’ When he known as me, I had no concept he was such a beautiful particular person.”
Scheffler is just not your typical dominant determine. He speaks softly and walks softly. He talks about his beliefs as a lot as his recreation, and believes in solely controlling what you possibly can management. He is just not afraid to be weak and share when he will get harassed or emotional. But Mr. Scheffler’s outward affability usually disguises a very aggressive spirit beneath the floor.
“I used to be sitting with my associates this morning and I used to be feeling somewhat overwhelmed,” Scheffler mentioned. “I advised them I did not wish to win this a lot. I feel it might make the morning simpler. But I like successful. I hate dropping. I actually do.”
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Scheffler’s life is about to vary, and her morning is about to get much more tough. His spouse, Meredith, is pregnant together with her first youngster and is nicely conscious that golf will take a backseat. But that does not imply he will not proceed to attempt for victory each time he tees it up.
“Golf would most likely be No. 4,” Scheffler mentioned of his priorities. “But I nonetheless like to compete, and I do not plan on taking my eye off the ball anytime quickly.”
Never within the historical past of the game has it been as deep and gifted as it’s at this level, however Scheffler feels he’s far and away the most effective participant on the planet, and his friends attempting to beat him are simply as enthusiastic about his greatness. I can not assist however attempt to take it away.
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy mentioned of his play within the first two rounds in opposition to Scheffler: “When you are subsequent to somebody who has an incredible angle and does all the pieces the correct means, you attempt to feed off of that. That’s nice,” he mentioned. “Scotty does an excellent job. He would not appear like he is 6 underneath, however he finally ends up being 6 underneath. He’s very environment friendly at all the pieces he does.”
McIlroy occurred to be in 18th place when Scheffler hit that stroll on the ninth and tenth holes Sunday. After beginning the week taking part in with the eventual champion, McIlroy completed the match at 4 over — 15 strokes behind Scheffler.
“He would not have any weaknesses,” caddy Ted Scott says of Scheffler’s recreation.Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Scheffler returned to the Butler cabin for the third time in three years on Sunday, however this time it was final yr’s winner Jon Rahm who carried the jacket on Scheffler’s shoulders. Not so way back, Rahm was thought of Scheffler’s equal, competing with him for the highest spot within the sport. Now, Rahm has left his PGA Tour and moved to LIV Golf, watching Scheffler win the match he as soon as wished. This week, the Spaniard completed 20 strokes away from Scheffler, incomes his second Masters victory and becoming a member of the ranks of the elite. Tiger Woods is the one participant ranked No. 1 on the planet to win a number of main tournaments.
Sunday’s victory additional units the stage for the way forward for the game, even when it hasn’t been the case earlier than. Every participant, whether or not on the PGA Tour or LIV Golf, is following the seemingly unfazed Scheffler. Scheffler will be the closest factor the game has had since Woods.
Scheffler’s victory not solely made the game by far the most well-liked in each occasion, but additionally created two fascinating pursuits: everybody else’s quest to beat him and Scheffler’s quest for extra.
“He makes us higher,” mentioned runner-up Aberg. “He’s going to wish to beat you.”
On Sunday, the 18th, because the solar turned inexperienced whereas an enthusiastic Scheffler celebrated, his 6-foot-3 body forged an extended shadow over Augusta. After this week, all the opposite skilled golfers shall be residing there.