Scottie Scheffler Cruises To Masters Victory

Drinks fridge filled? Check. Snacks at the ready? Check. Phone on silent? Check.

Let's do this.

WELCOME TO MASTERS SUNDAY

Hello and welcome to one of the most highly anticipated days on the golfing calendar: Sunday at The Masters. The first group is out on the course so don't miss a beat with our dedicated live coverage. 

Can Scottie Scheffler hang on and pick up a maiden Major title or will the pressure of leading be too much to bear for the World No. 1? Behind him, Players champion Cam Smith lies in wait should he slip up, while Major champions Shane Lowry, Charl Schwartzel and Justin Thomas are also lurking if the leaders show any signs of weakness.

Anything can and likely will happen come the back-nine at Augusta National, so strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride. It's going to be a fun one!

LET'S RECAP

Let's start with a quick tour through the leaderboard. At the tail-end, Tiger Woods begins the final round in a tie for 41st at +7 and will go out with World No. 2 Jon Rahm in around 20 minutes. 

At four-over, Sergio Garcia and Tony Finau could yet make a bid for a top-five finish, while Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa form another blockbuster group at +1. Only seven players start the day under par, although with slightly more favourable conditions forecast, we expect that number to grow. 

Schwartzel and Thomas are in the third-to-last group at 7.20pm UK time and will need something in the mid-to-low 60s to have any hope of contending, while the final group of Scheffler and Smith get underway at 7.40pm. 

Scheffler leads Smith by three after late rules drama on Saturday evening, with both aiming to land their first Major title at one of the most famous venues in all of sport.

CLASSIC SUNDAY PINS

Look out for some familiar pin positions at Augusta National today. Could we see another one or more holes-in-one at the 16th to add to the ace made by Stewart Cink on Friday?

And will the sucker pin at the par-three 12th ensnare more victims looking to push for too much with holes running out?

Check out the Sunday pin locations below...

FORE PLEASE, TIGER WOODS NOW DRIVING

Tiger is off and running on another Sunday at Augusta National. Can he improve on Saturday's six-over 78 that was his worst round in 24 appearances at The Masters?

The 15-time Major champ was left to rue a stone cold putter, losing nearly five strokes to the field on the greens on Moving Day. All that is of little consequence, of course, given all he has overcome just to tee it up. 

Making the cut should be considered a mammoth achievement considering he nearly lost his right leg in his infamous car crash 14 months ago. A round in the 60s would be a great way to finish, though. He's out in his usual Sunday red.

STAT ATTACK

Believe it or not, Rory McIlroy actually leads the field in Greens in Regulation coming into the final round. Despite starting ten shots back of overnight leader Scottie Scheffler, the Northern Irishman has hit one more green than the American through 54 holes.

However, he only ranks 12th in Strokes Gained: Approach and has lost strokes putting compared to the field average through three rounds.

BIRDIE FOR TIGER AT THE SECOND

Having bogeyed the opening hole on Friday and Saturday, Tiger made a better start today with a par at the tricky first before opening his birdie account on the par-five second. He'll be hoping he can carry that momentum through the round and give his loyal fans something to cheer about. 

Alongside Tiger, Rahm continues to struggle, The Spaniard is +1 for his round after a bogey at the first and a par at the second. 

CHILLS, LITERAL CHILLS

If this doesn't get you in the mood for what's to come today then nothing will. Featuring legends of the game old and new, check out this brilliant Masters tribute video below...

BOGEY AT FOUR FOR TIGER

Woods consolidated his birdie at the second with a par at the third. He failed to capitalise on a brilliant drive that left him just shy of the putting surface but a good two-putt meant there was no damage done.

A pulled iron shot on the long par-three fourth found the bunker, from where he couldn't make the up-and-down and returns to level par for the day and +7 overall. Jon Rahm is also back to level for his round having cancelled out an opening bogey with a birdie at the third.

EARLY MOVERS

While nobody is setting the course alight just yet, there are a couple players beating the card currently. 

Best among them so far is Sepp Straka, who has birdied his opening two holes to get back to +4. However, he faces a lengthy par putt on the third to keep his card clean.

Elsewhere, Kevin Na and Robert MacIntyre are both one-under for their rounds in the early stages. 

THREE BOGIES IN A ROW FOR TIGER

That's three dropped shots in a row now for Tiger, who missed the fifth and sixth greens and failed to get up and down. The physical demands of four rounds at Augusta National are perhaps starting to take their toll, but he'll be keen to end on a high note. 

Still plenty of birdie possibilities out there for the Big Cat. 

COURSE STATS THROUGH THREE ROUNDS OF THE 2022 MASTERS

Here's how the 18 holes at Augusta National have ranked so far this week. Unsurprisingly, the newly lengthened 11th has played the toughest at nearly half a shot over par, while the second has statistically been the easiest. 

The 17th and 18th - the seventh and second hardest holes respectively - could produce some fireworks...

HENLEY AND KISNER ON THE MOVE

The American duo have made great starts to their final rounds. A birdie at the seventh takes Russell Henley to three-under for the day and +4 for the tournament, while Kevin Kisner has birdied his opening two holes to get back to +2.

They're the best two rounds currently in progress as we edge closer to the leaders teeing off. 

CONTRASTING FORTUNES FOR TIGER AND RAHMBO

Another hole, another missed putt for Tiger Woods. A chance for birdie from around 8ft on the eighth goes begging as his struggles on the Augusta National greens continues. He's already losing more than a shot to the field average with his putter in hand and he's not even through nine holes yet.

His playing partner, on the other hand, is enjoying a purple patch. After an early bogey, Rahm is now two-under for his round after making back-to-back birdies at the seventh and eighth. He's back to +5 for the tournament and inside the top 40.

WATCH: HATTON FINDS THE WATER ON 11

Tyrrell Hatton is now in last place after finding the water on the treacherous 11th and racking up a double-bogey six. The Englishman described his putting on Friday as "absolutely disgusting" and it appears things haven't got much better.

On a more positive note, Russell Henley has made another birdie at the par-five eighth to get to four-under for the day, while Robert MacIntyre has birdied the seventh to get to two-under and +4 for the tournament with the par-five to play next

HISTORY BECKONS FOR SCHEFFLER

Another epic stat has landed on my lap courtesy of the legend himself, Justin Ray. He's sieved through the archives to find out who the last player was to leave Augusta National with a fourth PGA Tour victory of the season...

ANOTHER BIRDIE FOR HENLEY

This is some round of golf the American is putting together. He completes a front-nine 31 with a fifth birdie of the day to get into the top 15 at +2. It's a sign of what's capable out there today for the chasing pack should they get off to a hot start. 

A good day also just got better for Robert MacIntyre, who has taken advantage of the par-five eighth to make another birdie. He's now three-under for the round, a shot behind Henley, with an automatic spot in next year's Masters within touching distance.

HANDING OVER TO SAM TREMLETT, LIVE FROM AUGUSTA NATIONAL

That's all from me today and for the week. I pass over to Sam Tremlett, who will be providing updates live from Augusta National's renowned media centre. 

It's been a pleasure. Over and out!

GOOD EVENING ALL

Hello everyone from Augusta. I am incredibly excited for the final day of The Masters and the Manchester City-Liverpool game is giving me anxiety at the moment as well! 

PERFECT CONDITIONS

Having just been out on the course it is absolutely perfect conditions right now. Barely any wind and the temperature is perfect for golf. Not too hot, not too cold. Some low scores will come in today if it remains like this

JJ SPAUN SHOUTOUT

A brief moment to give JJ Spaun some props. The dude wins the Valero Texas Open to get into the tournament, shoots 74 in the first round and has battled to get to two-over as things stand. He is in T14 right now and will be looking to get that coveted top-12 spot for an automatic spot next year. 

AMEN CORNER

Probably a very obvious statement to make but I spent an hour down at Amen Corner yesterday and it is one of the best spots on the course. Great atmosphere and you can see a lot of tricky shots on the 11th and 12th holes. The tee shot on 12 is tricky as the flag on 11 is often moving in the complete opposite direction to the one on 12. Regardless both Tiger and Rahm are safely aboard. 

PERFECT SUNDAY

Couldn't have said it better myself Kyle...

GREEN JACKET ISSUES

Scottie Scheffler taking off and putting his vest on yesterday had me shook. If he does pull out the win today the Green Jacket ceremony could be hilarious. 

• How Do They Get The Right Green Jacket Size?
• The History Of The Masters Green Jacket

ALISTER MACKENZIE DESIGN

For those of you unaware, Augusta National was designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie and I just found some very cool images of the back nine from the Alister MacKenzie Institute. There are some very cool images and hole by hole analysis from Mackenzie himself. 

On the course Si Woo Kim has made an early charge making birdies on two of the first three holes. 

TIGER IN TROUBLE

Having played his second shot on 13 almost into the bushes behind the green, Tiger has to manufacture a chip shot. One moment he was going to play left-handed but thought better of it. No wait he did indeed play it left-handed. Limp is noticeably getting worse as well. What an effort as he finds the green

WOO LEE MAKING A CHARGE

Australian Min Woo Lee is climbing the leaderboard quickly as he is three-under through six. This is only his 2nd Major and 1st Masters. 

HIGGS CLOSE TO ALBATROSS

Popular American Harry Higgs came within inches of an albatross on the 2nd hole. We know how the ball funnels down to that hole location so who knows, we may see a big bird today. 

HARRY KANE AT AUGUSTA

I have just been informed that Tottenham Hotspur strike Harry Kane is at Augusta National, just 24 hours after he led his team to a 4-0 win against Aston Villa. He is quite the golfer himself apparently, with a very low handicap. He also shot under par for the first time back in 2018. 

BERGER HITS FLAG ON 13

Talk about unlucky. Pitching onto 13 Daniel Berger hit the flag and spun the ball back into Rae's Creek. Augusta can be very cruel indeed.

RORY BIRDIES 1ST

McIlroy bombs a drive up the first before sticking his approach to around 10-feet. A putt he often misses, he slots it home making the perfect start. 63 incoming?? Elliott just said he has hope for a Green Jacket come end of play which might be a stretch. 

EXCITING STUFF AT THE MOMENT

There are lots of birdies out there right now. We could be in for a very exciting day indeed as long putts are falling, and some players are firing at flags. Scheffler will know he cannot rest on his laurels and make pars today...

RORY PARS 2ND

Frustratingly Rory has less than 200 yards into the 2nd but he finds the greenside bunker and fails tog et up and down. 59 watch is over. 

LEE BIRDIES 8

Min Woo Lee has just birdied the eighth as well to climb into red figures. That is some sublime golf and Robert MacIntyre is four-under today as well. Things are heating up. 

TIGER'S MAGIC MOMENT

With Tiger coming to 16 (and giving himself a birdie chance), it is actually 17 years ago today that he produced arguably his greatest shot. It still gives me tingles

RORY DRIVES 3RD

The first time I have seen it this week, Rory drives the 3rd green then produces a good lag putt to about 3-4 feet. Rory at that length makes me nervous but he boxes it nicely. Two birdies in three holes to start.  

WHO HAVE YOU GOT?

Scheffler and Smith make their way to the tee as the final pairing. A lot of birdies are being made out there but I think it could be a matchplay situation between these two. Who have you got? 

BRYSON FOLLOWING TIGER?

Apparently Bryson DeChambeau is following Tiger Woods today, acknowledging he wanted to follow the best ever. 

Elsewhere Min Woo Lee just shot 30 on the front nine to get to two-under for the tournament. 

SCHEFFLER IN TROUBLE ON 1

Standing over his tee shot for seemingly an age, Scheffler pulls his drive well left into the trees. Cam Smith smashes it right down the middle. GAME ON

TIGER COMING UP 18

I will admit I did not think we would see Tiger Woods at The Masters this year. What he has done this week is truly incredible and it should never be taken for granted. He has just split the fairway on 18 and will undoubtedly receive a standing ovation from the massive crowd as he makes the final walk up to the green.

TIGER PARS 18

His birdie putt was not to be. After an incredible reception from the crowd by the green, Tiger rolls in the par putt and says goodbye to another year at Augusta National. His limp looks to be severe. Put your feet up Tiger and we hope to maybe see you at The Open at St Andrews

SMITH BIRDIES 1ST

Narrowing the gap to two, Smith birdies the 1st and then splits the fairway on 2. In fact it comes to rest in what appears to be a drainage marker. Scheffler also finds the fairway. 

HORSCHEL DEFENDS HATTON

Tyrrell Hatton seemed like a frustrated figure out there today and has a reputation for anger and moments of annoyance. But playing partner Billy Horschel was quick to defend him today; 

"I love Tyrell. Tyrell is great. He gets upset, but he is over it. He doesn't carry on. He is over it right after he does it, and it's over. You can talk to him five seconds after he got pissed at something, and he is fine. There's guys out here that mope and pout and carry themselves when they hit a bad shot, and they just are -- they're not fun to play with. I don't mind if someone gets angry, but just don't pout and mope around."

GAP IS NOW ONE

Cam Smith then birdies the 2nd hole to narrow the gap to one! Scheffler's birdie putt just slides by and we have a very exciting few hours to come. So much stuff still to happen, god I love The Masters. Rory just made a bomb of a putt at 7 as well!

SCHEFFLER WAY LEFT ON 3

After Cam Smith pulled his drive a touch left, Scheffler goes even further left. Tricky shots incoming for both and we believe they both take free drops because of the big scoreboard. 

KEN ON THE COURSE IS BACK

Yes you read that right, Ken on the course is back and this time he is on the 15th hole. See what he has to say below as this hole will be crucial later today. 

SCHEFFLER HOLES CHIP ON 3

After chunking his 2nd shot shot on the 3rd, Scheffler then plays a low chip that rattles into the hole for birdie! Big momentum shift as Smith also has a tricky up and down

RORY BIRDIES 8

McIlroy get to four-under for the day whilst Smith has a shocking bogey which results in a three-shot swing at the 3rd. Long way to go though. 

SHORT GAME WIZARDRY

Scheffler goes left on 4 but produces a stunning pitch to near tap in range. Smith then plays a stunning bunker shot to around 4 feet. He misses the putt though and Scheffler's lead grows to four. 

As of yet nobody but Rory is making a charge so this remains a two-horse race. 

SMITH MAKES ANOTHER HUGE MISTAKE

On 5 Scheffler finds the fairway but Smith finds the fairway bunker. More often that not that leads to bogey so if we want a close affair today, some funky stuff may need to happen on the back-nine. 

CORRECTION

Unbelievably Smith found the gap between the two fairway bunkers. Regardless Scheffler plays a stunner into the heart of the 5th and Smith leaves his approach short. 

RORY AND JT LURKING

I know, three-under is probably too far back, but both Rory and Thomas are playing good golf at the moment. Al they need is a huge charge on the back, and something funky to happen to Scheffler, and who knows. This is what Augusta does, we convince ourselves players are in the hunt when they probably aren't!

RORY CHIPS IN ON 10!

What is happening with Rory?! He chips in on 10 and is now at four-under. Back nine 29 and he is in with a shout

HANDOVER TO DAN PARKER

This three hours has flown by and now I am handing over to Dan Parker for the next few hours. I have more work to do but goodness me I want to get out on the course!

THANKS SAM, HELLO EVERYONE

Cheers Sam, good work out there! Happy to taking you through to the end of play at the 2022 Masters. Rory is having a royal go, but Scheffler looks solid after his shaky start - what a 13 holes we've got in store...

RORY ON THE CHARGE

The hottest golfer on the course right now is Rory McIlroy. He's five-under par for his round, but he's missed the green on the tricky 11th hole - can he keep up this amazing run?

REFLECTING ON TIGER

I don't know about you, but I found the ovation's Tiger received on his last few holes quite emotional. Like him or not, it's hard not to be moved by the warmth of the Patrons towards golf's greatest ever player. 

We'll be seeing him again this year too. He confirmed he'll be playing at the 150th Open in July and that St Andrews is his "favourite course in the world". 

GREAT PAR FROM RORY

An amazing par save from Rory on the 11th. If he missed that, you'd suggest that was his race run. He's still six shots behind, and he'll be relying on Scheffler blowing up to have a chance. 

SMITH, SCHEFFLER BIRDIE 

Our two front runners follow each other into the hole with birdies on the 7th hole. The gap between the two is still four shots, so Smith is still hanging on. It's feels a long way from the one shot lead he got Scheffler down to an hour or so ago, but we've still got a tournament on our hands...

MORE RORY CONTENT

It's quickly becoming Rory watch in my living room. He's hit a booming tee shot down the 13th, could he eagle the par-5 and get to six-under par?

TIGER'S COMING BACK

Here's Tiger confirming his return this summer. Will we see him at the two Majors before the 150th Open? 

SMITH, SCHEFFLER PAR 8TH

I'll try and maintain these hole-by-hole updates for our two leaders - surely our winner will be from the final group? They both par the 8th hole, with Smith making a stunning up-and-down and Scheffler seeing a birdie putt just slip past.

Meanwhile, Lowry had recovered from his triple bogey on the 4th to get himself to three-under. 

RORY EAGLE

He did it!! An amazing approach on the 13th gave Rory basically a kick-in eagle putt. He's dialled in, but is this run too late? I'm enjoying it nonetheless - come on Rory!!

PAIR OF EAGLES

How about this? Morikawa follows Rory in for an eagle on the 13th. The two are dovetailing nicely together and will both be looking for a few more birdies coming in. Isn't it amazing how two players can drag each other along?

RORY'S EAGLE

We're in full Rory overdrive now at Golf Monthly. Strap in people.

SCHEFFLER, SMITH PAR THE 9TH 

A pair of pars for the final two. Scheffler leads by four shots as we enter the back nine...

MCILROY, MORIKAWA PROVIDING IMMACULATE VIBES

It's an exhibition from these two. It's only a pair of pars on the 14th hole, but both have made spectacular up and downs to stay at their respective scores. 

SCHEFFLER, SMITH BOGEY

Right, Scheffler has finally cracked after his opening few holes. He's bogeyed the 10th after missing the green from the middle of the fairway. However, Smith matches him after finding trouble off the tee. 

Does this bring Rory back into it? He's got a birdie putt on 15...

SMITH BIRDIES, SCHEFFLER PARS

Smith seems to have had a mindset change after the bogey on 10. A super aggressive approach on 11 leads to a birdie - fantastic stuff on one of the hardest holes at Augusta National. 

Scheffler walks in a par putt after a well made up-and-down - that was so nearly a two shot swing! For now, Smith edges one closer to the leader with the fearsome 12th tee shot to come... 

SMITH IN THE WATER

After all that, Cam Smith has binned his tee shot into the water on 12. Scheffler, trying to play safe, has gone "off the charts left" according to Wayne Riley on course, but he's dry.

Still plenty of drama out on course and the tension is mounting...

SMITH'S RACE RUN?

Smith had to make up and down after his ball found the water. But he's gone over the back of the green and he'll do well to make a double bogey now...

SMITH TRIPLES, SCHEFFLER PARS

Surely that's it now and Scheffler will be our new champion in a few hours time? That's a two shot swing after Scheffler saves par. Now Rory McIlory is now the closest challenger four shots behind with only two holes to play.

Smith is now well back at five-under par...

TOUGH AUGUSTA SET UP

The fact that three-under par is still T4th on the leaderboard shows us two things: Scheffler is in a class of his own and Augusta has played tough this year.

Tyrrell Hatton wasn't best pleased with the set up this week. He shot 80 today and sits bottom of the leaderboard...

RORY STOP THAT 

Rory McIlroy has just holed out from the bunker at the 18th hole to shoot 64. He's in the clubhouse on seven-under par and was one shot off equalling the Augusta course record - stunning golf shot and what a round. 

MORIKAWA HOLES OUT FROM THE SAME BUNKER

Scenes on the 18th! I've not got a wide enough vocabulary to describe how crazy this McIlroy/Morikawa group has been. They both made an eagle on the 13th and now they've both holed out from the same bunker on the 18th - what are the chances of that?

MCILROY STEALING THE HEADLINES FOR NOW

To keep you in the loop about our leaders, Cam Smith has lost his head and his swing after what happened on 12. I can't blame him, I'd be the same and would probably be a few golf clubs lighter at the same time. Scheffler, who had a front row seat to his nearest rival's demise, is going about his business serenely.

For now, it's all about Rory McIlroy. He shot a bogey-free round of 64 to get himself to seven-under for the tournament. That included his hole-out from the bunker on 18.  Until Scheffler eventually wins this, Rory is owning the headlines. For Rory fans, we're a Scheffler blow up from seeing him in a Green Jacket...

RORY'S HOLE OUT

Here's Rory's celebration on 18. I'll be honest, it's not the greatest club throw I've ever seen.

I still can't believe Morikawa followed Rory in from the same bunker, what are the chances of that? Great to see the two embrace after their shots - one of the great Masters moments right there. 

SCHEFFLER INFALLABLE

Fair play to Scottie Scheffler, he's not dropping down the gears and coasting home here. He's gone for the green on the 15th and gone just over the back. With no one currently on course who can challenge him, it's his to lose now...

SCHEFFLER LEADS BY FIVE, THREE HOLES TO PLAY

We're witnessing golf greatness when we consider Scottie Scheffler's last 50 days or so. A birdie on 15 puts him five shots clear with three holes to play. A win would mean he's won four of his last six events. He hadn't won a single event before February! 

INCREDIBLE COURSE MANAGEMENT FROM SCHEFFLER

Despite finding trouble on the 17th, Scheffler shows impressive course management to give himself an improbable look at par. It won't really matter if he makes it or not, but it's further proof of how in control of his game he is right now.

ENJOY THE WALK

With a five shot lead, hopefully Scottie can enjoy this walk and embrace the warm reception of the Patrons down 18. He's found the right rough, but won't make worse than bogey from here...

SCHEFFLER WINS THE 86TH MASTERS

I probably could've typed this when Smith's ball found the water on the 12th hole, but Scheffler is now confirmed as our new Masters champion. He's been in a class of his own all week and has looked comfortable in the lead since Friday afternoon. 

He's just four putted the last though! The nerves must have got to him and he shoved a few sort putts past...

Even after a few dodgy swings and seeing his lead cut to one earlier today, the American never looked phased. Congratulations Scottie, this has been one of the most incredible runs in the history of the men's game

FINAL HOLE FOUR JAB

That four putt episode on the last will be remembered for a while, he simply couldn't get the ball in the hole. Hopefully that moment is wiped from the collective memory of the fans pretty quickly, but it was good to see he could have a laugh about it when the third putt slipped by.

SIGNING OFF, THANK YOU

There you have it everyone your Masters champion - Scottie Scheffler - has just slid his way into his new Green Jacket in the Butler Cabin. 

Thank you for joining us for the last four days of the first men's Major of the year. From Elliott Heath and Sam Tremlett on the ground at Augusta National, Tom Clarke, Andy Wright and Matt Craddock in the UK and me, Dan Parker, it's been a pleasure covering the events for you this year and we've hope you've enjoyed our coverage. 

We'll have all the reaction to this week's action tomorrow and throughout next week on the Golf Monthly website, and you can follow us on Twitter (@GolfMonthly) and Facebook for all the fall out from Scheffler's victory.