After 54 holes of the 88th Masters Tournament, Scottie Scheffler holds a one-stroke lead. He started the third round in thrilling fashion, chipping in for a birdie on the first hole and sinking a 34-foot birdie putt on the third hole to go up by two strokes. However, he struggled after the turn and found himself two strokes behind the leaders at 6-under par. Scheffler regrouped and eventually joined the quartet at the top of the leaderboard with a lengthy putt for eagle on the 13th hole.
If Scheffler were to win on Sunday, he would secure his second green jacket in the past three years and join a select group of golfers who have won the Masters at least twice. However, his performance might be overshadowed by the impending birth of his first child. Scheffler’s wife, Meredith, is due at the end of the month and could not travel to watch him compete in the major. He has promised to leave at a moment’s notice if she goes into labor, prioritizing the birth of their child over a potential tournament win.
Several skilled golfers are within striking distance of Scheffler, with the top four players within four strokes of the lead. Collin Morikawa is one stroke back after a strong third round, seeking his first green jacket and third major championship. Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open winner, is also in contention, sitting four strokes back after holing out from the fairway for birdie on the final hole. The saying “no lead is safe at Augusta” is a reminder of the historic comebacks witnessed at the Masters over the years.
Several notable comebacks have occurred at the Masters, including Gary Player’s seven-stroke deficit comeback in 1978, Nick Faldo’s six-stroke comeback victory over Greg Norman in 1996, and Tiger Woods’ seven-stroke deficit win in 2005. One of the most memorable chases was Danny Willet’s victory in 2016, where he overcame a five-stroke deficit with just six holes left to play, aided by Jordan Spieth’s quadruple bogey. The history of the Masters tournament is filled with dramatic finishes and unexpected outcomes, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the iconic event.
As Scheffler prepares for the final round of the Masters, he faces the challenge of holding off a talented field of competitors while also managing the personal excitement of impending fatherhood. The pressure of performing on the biggest stage in golf, coupled with the emotional significance of potentially winning another green jacket, adds an extra layer of complexity to Scheffler’s quest for victory. The final round promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable conclusion to the 88th Masters Tournament, with the potential for dramatic shifts in the leaderboard and historic moments on the iconic Augusta National Golf Club course.
