Scheffler dominates back nine to win second Masters
World number one Scottie Scheffler captured his second Masters title on Sunday, dominating a back-nine shootout for a four-stroke victory at Augusta National. Scheffler, who also took the green jacket in 2022, won a record US$3.6 million top prize after a drama-filled battle with fellow Americans Collin Morikawa and Max Homa and Sweden's Ludvig Aberg, who made an impressive major debut. Scheffler birdied three of the last six holes to fire a four-under par 68 and finish 72 holes over the iconic 7,555-yard layout on 11-under 277 with Aberg shooting 69 to finish second on 281. Two-time major winner Morikawa had a closing 74 to share third on 284 with Homa and England's Tommy Fleetwood. "Did my best to stay calm out there and to be patient," Scheffler said. "They played well out there and I was fortunate to hold them off until the end." Scheffler matched Tiger Woods as the only players to win the Masters twice while atop the world rankings. He also became the fourth-youngest multiple Masters winner at age 27 behind Woods, Jack Nicklaus and the late Seve Ballesteros. Scheffler, who hasn't played a round over par since last August, has the second-fewest Masters starts for any two-time winner with five. Only Horton Smith needed fewer, taking two of the first three Augusta titles in the 1930s. Well back were second-ranked Rory McIlroy, third-ranked defending champion Jon Rahm and 15-time major champion Woods. McIlroy, who needs only a Masters victory to complete a career grand slam, fired a 73 to finish on 292. Spaniard Rahm fired a 76 to finish on 297. Woods shot 77 to finish on 16-over 304, last among 60 players to make the cut in his worst 72-hole Masters effort. He said he plans to play the year's other three majors. (AFP)