The 2022 Masters has come and gone and a new champion has been crowned. Scottie Scheffler triumphed over the field this year and won the coveted Green Jacket. The Masters serves as Scottie’s first career major win and it is his fourth win in his last six starts. He has already won over $10 million on the PGA TOUR this year. He also holds the number one ranking in the world.
Scheffler began the day on Sunday with a three shot lead and anxiety-backed tears. Scheffler said after the conclusion of the round that he woke up crying because he was afraid that he wasn’t ready for the moment. He said his wife, Meredith Scheffler, was able to calm him down and reassure Scottie he was more than ready for the moment.
High hopes likely weren’t as high after the second hole of the round. Scottie quickly saw his three shot lead vanish to just one stroke after playing partner Cameron Smith birdied the first two holes to draw within one. Momentum completely shifted when the final group reached the third hole. After both players drove their tee shots left of the green and had to pitch out, Scheffler was first to play his third shot. Scottie stepped up to his ball and drained the chip that wasn’t nearly as easy as he made it look. Cam Smith followed the make with a poor chip that lead to a bogey and just like that the lead was back up to three.
Scheffler never looked back from there. He managed to keep such a large cushion that he was able to four-putt the 18th hole and still win by three shots. Rory McIlroy tried to make things interesting on the back nine, but ultimately it was all too little too late. Rory, who shot a final round 64 (-8), was able to play his way into solo second place.
Some big names failed to even make the cut and play all four rounds this week. Players like Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau and Gary Woodland all failed to make the weekend. Paul Casey and Louis Oosthuizen were the only two players that had to withdraw from competition for this tournament.
And we can’t have a Masters recap without mentioning Tiger Woods. Woods, who was a combined 14-over par after shooting a first round score of 1-under, was never really in contention during the tournament. However, it was a huge moral victory for Tiger as he was able to walk 72 holes at Augusta National after almost losing his leg 14 months ago in a car accident.
Tiger knew that too. He walked off the 18th green on Sunday with probably the biggest smile anyone had ever seen from Tiger Woods when he didn’t win a tournament. He was beaming from ear to ear thanks in part to his own personal success and the adoration and love that was pouring out towards him from all of the fans. From a golf perspective however, Tiger’s putting was horrific the last three days of the tournament. I’m not sure if that can be chalked up to fatigue or rust, but it is definitely something that he is going to have to figure out if he truly wants to compete to win again on TOUR. His iron play was great and his driver was exceptional. Putting was just bad.
From top to bottom however, it was a very entertaining Masters. As always, Augusta National never fails to disappoint and we all can’t wait for the 2023 Masters. Which is only 360 days away if anyone is counting.
Comments by Trey Dallas