Regardless of sitting on what appeared like a snug five-shot lead on Saturday night, Scottie Scheffler revealed after his Masters victory final yr that he awakened crying earlier than the ultimate spherical and that his spouse wanted to strengthen his perception system that led to a dominating win.
There’s a excessive chance that the unassuming American world No 1 would once more be in an analogous situation come Sunday morning. In any case, he heads into Thursday’s opening spherical as probably the most in-form participant within the discipline, having received two ‘elevated’ occasions on the PGA Tour – the Gamers Championship and Phoenix Open – in his final 5 begins.
If Scheffler manages to seek out himself within the lead, he’s not certain how he’d react this time.
“I don’t know precisely how completely different will probably be. Any time you’re within the lead at an enormous event that you just wish to win, I believe the feelings are completely different. Perhaps, final yr may very well be a bit completely different simply because it was my first one,” stated the 26-year-old Texan.
“However I believe going right into a weekend with a lead, I’ll nonetheless be nervous. Properly, I’m nonetheless nervous enjoying at dwelling. I don’t know what the feelings might be, however hopefully I’ll discover out.”
If Scheffler wins, he’ll be a part of the unique membership of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the one three back-to-back Masters champions.
However as Scheffler talked about, that isn’t going to be a motivating issue for him this week, or outline his legacy.
“Any time you may get talked about in the identical breath as a Tiger and a Jack and a Nick Faldo, it’s actually particular,” Scheffler stated. “It’s so particular and funky when it occurs, nevertheless it doesn’t inspire me out right here. I’m simply attempting to return out right here and do my greatest and play good golf and have enjoyable. Exterior of that, I’m simply hoping to have a great angle. Wherever that results in my profession, I might be proud of.”
Scheffler additionally had an attention-grabbing tackle being the world No1.
“I wouldn’t say it provides me any particular confidence. It’s only a math algorithm. For me, to sit down right here and inform you guys I’m the very best participant on the earth, that isn’t my type,” he stated.
“I believe I study lots from all of the individuals out right here. I’m a pupil of the sport and I’ve discovered lots from enjoying with guys like Jordan (Spieth) rising up. I wish to proceed to study and enhance. That’s what’s enjoyable for me and what I really like about this recreation – the truth that you’ll be able to by no means excellent it.
“Nevertheless, being No1 is best than being No2 in that algorithm.”
World No2 Rory McIlroy was attempting to look again finally yr’s Masters as he tries to mount one other problem to win the Inexperienced Jacket, which can earn him a profession grand slam.
Ever because the capitulation over the again 9 on Sunday of 2011, when he shot an 80 and fell to tied fifteenth place after main the event on the flip, McIlroy has been searching for a solution to unravel the puzzle of Augusta Nationwide.
In 2022, McIlroy posted his greatest end, a second place, that was made unforgettable by a final-round course record-equalling 64. That included the spectacular birdie from the greenside bunker on the 72nd gap which resulted in wild celebrations from the Northern Irishman, though he was nonetheless a lot behind Scheffler.
“The final time this event was performed, I walked away from the course and the event fairly proud of myself,” stated the four-time Main champion.
“With that spherical, I proved to myself that I may do it. As a lot as I didn’t actually get into competition (due to Scheffler’s huge lead), there was part of me on that again 9 that felt that I had an opportunity, and to play the best way I did, in my thoughts it felt prefer it was a breakthrough.
“I really feel like I’ve bought all of the elements. It’s nearly placing all of them collectively over the subsequent 4 days.”