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Masters 2022: Scottie Scheffler barely holds on to her nerve to win the first Major after Rory McIlroy's intense pressure

Scottie Scheffler is the world number one and a winner.

Rory McIlroy's story is once more.


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Scottie Scheffler, 2022 Masters champion
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Scheffler was cool until the minor wobble on 18th green

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Rory McIlroy finished second in the 64th round, a remarkable feat

Despite a remarkable eight-under par 64 final round, which was crowned by a magnificent holed bunker shot on 18 and a breathtaking closing round of play, the Northern Irishman still has not been invited to the career grand slam club.

McIlroy was able to play a flawless round, including a birdie on 13 and six. This left McIlroy regretting the fact that he had failed to accomplish his mission after three days.

McIlroy started five holes ahead of overnight leader Scheffler but was ten shots behind. He knew he had to do something special and hoped the adopted Texan would choke.

McIlroy was able to complete the first part of the equation when the sun finally shone on Augusta National Sunday. This match the tournament's lowest score from the last day.

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MASTERS LIVE

Scheffler wins maiden green jacket at Augusta, beating McIlroy


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GREAT SCOT

Scottie Scheffler was a childhood sweetheart and lost her tragic golf pal to the disease

Scheffler, however, declined to fulfill his end of the bargain for McIlroy.

The American showed great courage, proving how quickly he went from being a newcomer to the PGA Tour.

Scheffler received his first Phoenix Open winner's cheque just 57 days earlier.

He now has four wins in eight week, including the first Major and the top spot at the rankings.


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Scheffler celebrates his marriage with Meredith Scudder

He won a three-shot victory with a 71 score and a total of 10-under-par 276.

McIlroy could have done more, however.

He was a fast bullet from the gun. He holing from nine to return to level par and adding another on the third hole - which was to be crucial to Scheffler’s success.

The story of his life was changing by the time he came in off the green at 7 and added another at 7 feet at the par 5 eighth.

Scheffler started three ahead of Australian Cameron Smith on Saturday, but was unable to get down the back nine - and was as nervous as a kitten.

Smith's back-to-back birdies reduced the lead to one shot. Scheffler, who pulled his tee shot three miles left and saw the wedge of the pine straw roll back 25 feet from the top of his slope, might have caused an implosion.

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Smith's mistake was amazingly repeated by Scheffler. The American was overcome with joy as he threw into the bank to soften his chip and watched the ball race on the ground before it dropped below the ground.

Smith, who was eyeing the lead collapsed. His challenge ended from the moment he missed his par three-footer. Shane Lowry ended his chances with a triple-bogey.

McIlroy was, however, still in the lead, even though he had a missed nine from a very short distance.

He was third after a surprising chip-in from the back 10 and then on 13 he had pandemonium as his approach over Rae's Creek to 10 foot and sank an eagle putt.

Scheffler remained calm despite Smith's meltdown. He nudged in a tiddler to birdie on seven, and held firm after Scheffler pulled at 10.


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Scheffler remained calm and demonstrated why he is No1 in the world.

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Scheffler's former caddie Ted Scott is on the bag
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After chipping in on the third, the American retrieves his ball. This is a significant turning point
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Scheffler knew he was almost there when he teed up for the 18th

McIlroy was still four behind and had to make a great round for everyone.

His drive from 15 to the green took two out of the equation, and his wedge landed half an inch too far down the slope towards flag.

One greenside fan predicted that he would make it crazy if he made the seven-yarder.

The ball cleared the hole and remained above ground.

McIlroy was a wild celebration when his second sand shot from the 18th found its way into the cup, but he knew it wasn't enough.

Scheffler left Amen Corner with three shots.

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Back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15, which float a delightful wedge to five foot from 140 yards, meant that he could play a three-hole win lap.

McIlroy couldn't help but reflect on another near miss. Perhaps he will never be able to wear the Green Jacket.


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Rory McIlroy danced on the sand following his 18th birthday celebration.

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Cameron Smith's challenge was defeated after an impressive start