Scottie Scheffler ties 30-year Masters record with ‘effortless’ start in bid to end two-decade jinx
Nobody has won The Masters a year after putting on a Green Jacket since Tiger Woods in 2002. But Scottie Scheffler looks determined to change that after an imperious start to his tournament. GettyScheffler is the man to beat on early form[/caption] The two-time champion hit a monster 62-yard putt to card his second birdie of the day on the par-three fourth and ignite his challenge for a third Green Jacket in four years. He hit the turn three-under — the joint-best score by a defending champion over the last 30 years. There have only been four other instances — and one of them was Scheffler himself. He also drained a 40-footer for birdie on 16 to move four-under. “Every time I watch Scottie Scheffler, it gives me Jokic vibes. Both make it seem so effortless and will make an amazing shot & you’ll get zero reaction out of them,” said one NBA fan. “Congratulations Scottie Scheffler,” joked another, getting slightly ahead of themselves. Per golf statistician Justin Ray on X, Scheffler gained three strokes putting — his best for a single round at Augusta. A missed birdie chance on the 18th saw Scheffler shoot a four-under 68 — his fourth straight opening round in the 60s. It placed him in a share for the clubhouse lead with Canadian Corey Conners, although Justin Rose was looking strong after going six-under through 10 holes. “Anytime you can keep a card clean out here, it’s a really good thing,” he said after his round. GettyScheffler and caddie Ted Scott celebrate a job well done[/caption] GettyThe world No.1 helps compatriot Justin Thomas look for his ball[/caption] “I struggled for what felt like two pars today. I had to make two really good up-and-downs. “But other than that, the golf course was in front of me most of the day, kept the ball in play, did a lot of really good things out there.” Scheffler is the betting favorite but honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson all think it is finally Rory McIlroy‘s year. “I think it’s about time that Rory won and I sat down with him last week,” Nicklaus said. “I said ‘I know you prepared for Augusta, tell me how you’re going to play the golf course’. “We went through it shot for shot, we got done with the round, I didn’t open my mouth and I said ‘I wouldn’t change a thing’. That’s exactly the way I would try to play the golf course. “The discipline to do that is what Rory has lacked in my opinion. He’s got all the shots, he’s got all the game. Read more on The Masters All you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverage Masters tee times, groupings and schedule confirmed at Augusta Iconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National Exclusive: ‘Augusta is a mind game’ – Nick Faldo picks his 2025 Masters favourite and ‘puts tenner’ on 75-to-1 dark horse winner Exclusive: ‘Stars have aligned’ for generational talent Rory McIlroy to break Masters duck and complete career Grand Slam Exclusive: Lee Westwood names two LIV Golf players who can shock everyone at the Masters Rory McIlroy was summoned by Augusta National officials to discuss rule violation and possible Masters disqualification Nico Echavarria immediately hit with Masters curse in tournament no golfer wants to win Check out talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts – welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets* Get 50/1 Rory McIlroy to make at least one birdie on Thursday or 50/1 Rory to make the cut To watch the Masters 2025, sign up to a Sky Sports subscription or read our guide to the best sky sports deals available now (if you click this link and make a purchase we will earn affiliate revenue) “He certainly is as talented as anybody in the game, but if you go back through his history in the last few years he gets to a place and all of a sudden a seven or an eight pops up and that keeps him from getting where he needs to go.” Nicklaus, Player, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Woods are the only players ever to complete a Grand Slam of all four Majors. McIlroy is one short and Player is desperate for him to get there. “I hope he does, because it will give golf a great boost to have another winner of the Grand Slam,” he said.
Nobody has won The Masters a year after putting on a Green Jacket since Tiger Woods in 2002.
But Scottie Scheffler looks determined to change that after an imperious start to his tournament.
The two-time champion hit a monster 62-yard putt to card his second birdie of the day on the par-three fourth and ignite his challenge for a third Green Jacket in four years.
He hit the turn three-under — the joint-best score by a defending champion over the last 30 years.
There have only been four other instances — and one of them was Scheffler himself.
He also drained a 40-footer for birdie on 16 to move four-under.
“Every time I watch Scottie Scheffler, it gives me Jokic vibes. Both make it seem so effortless and will make an amazing shot & you’ll get zero reaction out of them,” said one NBA fan.
“Congratulations Scottie Scheffler,” joked another, getting slightly ahead of themselves.
Per golf statistician Justin Ray on X, Scheffler gained three strokes putting — his best for a single round at Augusta.
A missed birdie chance on the 18th saw Scheffler shoot a four-under 68 — his fourth straight opening round in the 60s.
It placed him in a share for the clubhouse lead with Canadian Corey Conners, although Justin Rose was looking strong after going six-under through 10 holes.
“Anytime you can keep a card clean out here, it’s a really good thing,” he said after his round.
“I struggled for what felt like two pars today. I had to make two really good up-and-downs.
“But other than that, the golf course was in front of me most of the day, kept the ball in play, did a lot of really good things out there.”
Scheffler is the betting favorite but honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson all think it is finally Rory McIlroy‘s year.
“I think it’s about time that Rory won and I sat down with him last week,” Nicklaus said. “I said ‘I know you prepared for Augusta, tell me how you’re going to play the golf course’.
“We went through it shot for shot, we got done with the round, I didn’t open my mouth and I said ‘I wouldn’t change a thing’. That’s exactly the way I would try to play the golf course.
“The discipline to do that is what Rory has lacked in my opinion. He’s got all the shots, he’s got all the game.
Read more on The Masters
All you need to know about 2025 Masters including talkSPORT coverage
Masters tee times, groupings and schedule confirmed at Augusta
Iconic green ‘completely destroyed’ as drama awaits at Masters’ toughest hole – hole-by-hole guide to Augusta National
Exclusive: ‘Augusta is a mind game’ – Nick Faldo picks his 2025 Masters favourite and ‘puts tenner’ on 75-to-1 dark horse winner
Exclusive: ‘Stars have aligned’ for generational talent Rory McIlroy to break Masters duck and complete career Grand Slam
Exclusive: Lee Westwood names two LIV Golf players who can shock everyone at the Masters
Rory McIlroy was summoned by Augusta National officials to discuss rule violation and possible Masters disqualification
Nico Echavarria immediately hit with Masters curse in tournament no golfer wants to win
Check out talkSPORT BET for the latest odds and bet boosts – welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*
Get 50/1 Rory McIlroy to make at least one birdie on Thursday or 50/1 Rory to make the cut
To watch the Masters 2025, sign up to a Sky Sports subscription or read our guide to the best sky sports deals available now (if you click this link and make a purchase we will earn affiliate revenue)
“He certainly is as talented as anybody in the game, but if you go back through his history in the last few years he gets to a place and all of a sudden a seven or an eight pops up and that keeps him from getting where he needs to go.”
Nicklaus, Player, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Woods are the only players ever to complete a Grand Slam of all four Majors.
McIlroy is one short and Player is desperate for him to get there.
“I hope he does, because it will give golf a great boost to have another winner of the Grand Slam,” he said.
