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Live

World Golf Ranking: Xander Schauffele Climbs to 5th Place

Xander Schauffele climbs to 5th in the World Golf Ranking. (Photo: Getty)
Xander Schauffele climbs to 5th in the World Golf Ranking. (Photo: Getty)

In the World Golf Ranking, Scottie Scheffler holds his position at number one, reflecting a consistent performance at the pinnacle of the sport. Compatriot Xander Schauffele trails at the fifth spot, climbing one position from the previous week.

All World Golf Rankings

American Golfers in the World Golf Ranking

The performance of American golfers exhibits mixed results, with Patrick Cantlay dropping to sixth from fifth, Max Homa remaining steady at seventh, as well as both Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark who secure their standings at ninth and tenth respectively. These shifts reflect the dynamic nature of the rankings and player performance week-to-week.

Rory McIlroy sustains his number two position, representing stability at the top.  Jon Rahm, stationed at third, and Viktor Hovland, maintaining the fourth place, echo a status quo among the lead pack. The World Golf Ranking beyond the top ten sees fluctuations as various athletes either ascend or descend in the standings. Tommy Fleetwood surges to rank 11, a noteworthy climb from the 15th position following his victory at the Dubai Invitational.

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Live

World Golf Ranking: Tommy Fleetwood approaching the Top 10

Tommy Fleetwood approaching the Top 10 in the World Golf Ranking. (Photo: Getty)
Tommy Fleetwood approaching the Top 10 in the World Golf Ranking. (Photo: Getty)

In this week’s World Golf Ranking, Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland remains static at the second position, holding a strong presence among the world’s golf elite. Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick of England maintains his rank at number 8. Fleetwood jumps four spots up to 11th, marking a leap forward and towards the top 10 after his victory at the Dubai Invitational.

All World Golf Rankings

British Players in the World Golf Ranking

On the contrary, Hatton drops one place to 15th, indicating a slight decrease in his ranking. This represents a mixed week for English golfers regarding their standings. As for the remaining top British players in the top 60 of the World Golf Ranking, Justin Rose slides down two places to 42nd, Robert MacIntyre of Scotland, he stays at 58th.

Back at the top of the World Golf Ranking, Scottie Scheffler from the United States secures his position as the world leader, showcasing sustained excellence in his performance. Jon Rahm of Spain also stands firm at number 3. In the rest of the top 10, we observe Xander Schauffele climbing to 5th from 6th place, indicating an upward trend for the American golfer. Conversely, Patrick Cantlay of the USA experiences a slight descent, moving from 5th to 6th. While the shift isn’t significant, it does reflect the competitive nature within the upper echelon of the World Golf Ranking. Continuing through positions 7 to 10, no other movements are reported, suggesting steadiness among the leading golfers at this elite level.

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Live

Scottie Scheffler Holds Top Spot in World Golf Ranking, Matt Fitzpatrick Advances To Seventh position

Matt Fitzpatrick advances in the OWGR. (Photo: Getty)
Matt Fitzpatrick advances in the OWGR. (Photo: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler maintains his grip on the pinnacle of the World Golf Ranking, while the best-placed British golfer, Rory McIlroy, safeguards his second position.

Check out the full World Golf Ranking here

More British Representatives at the Top of the World Golf Ranking

Matthew Fitzpatrick advances to seventh position from the eighth spot in the World Golf Ranking, due to a win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Tyrrell Hatton retains his status as the 11th best golfer globally.

Tommy Fleetwood, another English golfer, retains his 13th place in the rankings. Justin Rose has advanced one spot to the 36th position, rounding up the top five British players in the World Golf Ranking.

First Three Positions in the World Golf Ranking

Continuing the synopsis of the World Golf Ranking, Jon Rahm of Spain remains steadfast at the third position, following Scheffler and McIlroy. Viktor Hovland, a proficient player from Norway, secures the fourth position and Patrick Cantlay rounds up the top five, remaining steadfast in his placement from the previous week.

In the second half of the top 10 of the World Golf Ranking, Xander Schauffele holds his sixth spot. Max Homa dropped to the eighth position from the seventh, making way for Fitzpatrick to rise. Brian Harman holds firm at the ninth, while Wyndham Clark completes the top 10 without any shift in his ranking.

(This article was created with the help of AI)

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Highlights Tours

DP World Tour Announces Schedule for 2024 with Record Prize Money

The DP World Tour announces its schedule for the 2024 season. (Credit: Getty)

The DP World Tour today announces its schedule for the 2024 season, one which will feature a minimum of 44 tournaments in 24 countries and across five continents, underlining its status as golf’s global Tour.

Showcasing diverse international players, cultures, countries and venues, the 2024 season also features a host of new enhancements across its entire 13 month global odyssey, with members competing for an overall record prize fund of $148.5 million (excluding the Majors). Click here to view the full schedule.

The 2024 Race to Dubai will feature three new and distinct phases – five innovative ‘Global Swings’ from November 2023 to August 2024; an historic ‘Back 9’ from September 2024 to October 2024; and two ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’ in November 2024.

As in previous years, the consistent thread throughout the course of the season will be the five Rolex Series events – the premium category of events on the DP World Tour. In 2024 these will be: the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January), the Genesis Scottish Open (July), the BMW PGA Championship (September), the Abu Dhabi Championship (November) and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai (November) – tournaments which will continue to showcase the Tour’s leading players and innovation.

The schedule also features two new tournaments – the Dubai Invitational (Jan 11-14) and the Bahrain Championship (Feb 1-4), while the Volvo China Open (May 2-5) returns to the schedule for the first time since 2019. There are also date changes for three existing tournaments – the Danish Golf Championship (which moves to Aug 22-25), the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, (Aug 29 – Sept 1), and the Abu Dhabi Championship (Nov 7-10). The Nedbank Golf Challenge Hosted by Gary Player moves into December and will be one of the opening events on the Tour’s 2025 schedule.

Keith Pelley, the DP World Tour’s Chief Executive, said: “Our 2024 season will see our members come together to compete across a global schedule, with greater opportunities and rewards than ever before.

“The many new and original enhancements we have introduced will guarantee drama and excitement for our fans, our broadcasters and all our stakeholders across the entire season and means, more than ever, that every week counts on the DP World Tour.”

The 2024 DP World Tour Schedule – A Breakdown

Phase One – The ‘Global Swing’

This phase will comprise five individual ‘Swings’ – the Opening Swing, the International Swing, the Asian Swing, the European Swing and the Closing Swing – and will run from November 2023 to August 2024. Each Swing will have its own individual Swing Rankings.

The Opening Swing will run from November 2023 (Fortinet Australian PGA Championship) to December 2023 (AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open)
The International Swing will run from January 2024 (Dubai Invitational) to March 2024 (Jonsson Workwear Open)
The Asian Swing will run from March 2024 (Singapore Classic) to May 2024 (Volvo China Open) (*)
The European Swing will run from May 2024 (Soudal Open) to July 2024 (BMW International Open) (*)
The Closing Swing will run from July 2024 (Genesis Scottish Open) to August 2024 (Danish Golf Championship) (*)

(*) While points accrued in the Major Championships will count on the Race to Dubai Rankings, they will not count in the Swing Rankings.

Each Swing will have its own identity and its own Champion who will each earn $200,000 from an overall $1million Bonus Pool. Swing Champions will also qualify for each of the ‘Back 9’ events.

At the conclusion of the Global Swings phase, a further $1million Bonus Pool will then be shared amongst the leading ten players on the Race to Dubai (who have played a minimum of eight ‘regular’ Global Swings events outside the Major Championships and co-sanctioned Genesis Scottish Open).

The International Swing includes a new Pro-Am event – the Dubai Invitational played at Dubai Creek Resort from January 11-14 – as well as the Bahrain Championship, which marks the Tour’s return to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time since 2011.

The five Swings will also offer qualification into the first three Rolex Series events:
The leading member (not otherwise exempt) from the Opening Swing will qualify for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The leading member (not otherwise exempt) from each of the International Swing, the Asian Swing and the European Swing will qualify for the Genesis Scottish Open.
The leading member (not otherwise exempt) from the Closing Swing will qualify for the BMW PGA Championship.
The overall top performers from the Global Swings will be rewarded with qualification into Phase Two of the season, with ten spots in each of the ‘Back 9’ events for the highest ranked members (not otherwise exempt) within the top 110 on the current Race to Dubai Rankings.

————–

Phase Two – The ‘Back Nine’

This phase will encompass nine of the DP World Tour’s most historic tournaments and national Opens and will run from August 2024 to October 2024.

It will begin with the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo (August 29 – September 1, 2024) and will end with a tournament to be confirmed from October 24-27, 2024.

In addition to exempt DP World Tour members, the leading 15 non-members from the top 70 on the FedEx Cup will be eligible to play in these events and qualify for the DP World Tour Championship.

The top 110 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings at the conclusion of this phase in October will earn their DP World Tour cards for 2025 while the top 70 qualify for Phase Three, the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

Phase Three – The DP World Tour Play-Offs

This phase, running in November 2024, will comprise the two final Rolex Series events of the season: the Abu Dhabi Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

The Abu Dhabi Championship, which moves from its traditional January slot to a new date of November 7-10, will feature the leading 70 players on the Race to Dubai Rankings while the top 50 at the end of that tournament, qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai from November 14-17, where the DP World Tour’s Number One player will be crowned.

At the conclusion of the DP World Tour’s 2024 season, the leading ten players will share a $6million Bonus Pool.

Finally, as per at the end of the current 2023 season, the top ten DP World Tour members on the final 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings (not otherwise exempt) will earn PGA TOUR cards for the 2025 season.
Press release by the European Tour

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Satellite Tours

Saudi International: Abraham Ancer wins by a safe margin

Abraham Ancer wins in Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Getty)
Abraham Ancer wins in Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Getty)

The unofficial LIV Tour opener at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia comes to an end. Abraham Ancer took an early lead in the field and eventually prevailed by three strokes. In second place is PGA Tour player Cameron Young, followed by Lucas Herbert in third place. Bernd Wiesberger, the only German-speaking player in the field puts a solid tournament behind him and finishes his four rounds in a shared 18th place.

Asian Tour victory: Abraham Ancer celebrates triumph

LIV player Abraham Ancer celebrates an early victory in 2023, beating 70 competitors on the Asian Tour to start his LIV season in top form at the end of February. In his final round, the big point wins were a long time coming, but Ancer collected enough stroke wins in the earlier rounds. After a 64 on the moving day on the par-70 course, he recorded a 68 in the final round to secure the crown.

Bernd Wiesberger in the top 20

Bernd Wiesberger’s tournament finish was a roller coaster ride. The Austrian took an early bogey on the par-3 third. This was followed by two birdies on holes 4 and 5 and thus an intermediate score under par. Shortly before the turn, on the 9th hole, a bogey put another damper on Wiesberger, who went even par on the second nine. After a good start with two birdies on the 10th and 12th hole, Wiesberger played another bogey. His finish was also up and down: with birdie-bogey-bogey-birdie he finished his fourth round at the Saudi International and ended up on T18 with a day score of 1-under-par.

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Uncategorized

LIV Golf Invitational Series: Two pros lose sponsor UPS

liv golf invitational series lee westwood louis oosthuizen
Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen are now on the road without UPS sponsorship. (Photo: Getty)

The PGA Championship in Oklahoma at Southern Hills Golf Club had a very interesting fringe event on the first day. Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood were spotted on the course and during the first round without their sponsor UPS on their shirts, the reason could be the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Westwood, who has been with UPS for 14 years, commented, “I consider myself lucky to have been with UPS for 14 years – such a great company.”

LIV Golf Invitational Series the reason for the end of the collaboration?

According to UPS, this decision is all about business. But when you consider the fact that UPS is also the Ryder Cup’s logistics partner, the split could very well have to do with the two pros’ aspirations for their future. Both Westwood and Oosthuizen have been positive about the LIV Golf Invitational Series and plan to participate in the inaugural event in London. As the Ryder Cup’s logistics partner, that might not be compatible for UPS. Especially since it is planned that all players who want to participate in the events will no longer be part of a Ryder Cup.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series has been at the top of the headlines for weeks and is the number one topic of conversation in the golf circuit. Whether it’s the memorable statements made by CEO Greg Norman about the murder of Khashoggi by Saudi Arabia, or that Saudi Arabia is sportswashing with these events, the new tour is facing harsh criticism. It remains exciting to see what further impact this new tour will have on the traditional tours, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.

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European Tour

European Tour: Adri Arnaus wins on the 6th playoff hole

Adri Arnaus European Tour Catalunya Championship
Adri Arnaus wins first title of his career on the DP World Tour (Foto: Getty)

The Catalunya Championship has come to an end. Adri Arnaus is the more than happy winner of the tournament, which was held for the first time. In a playoff he prevailed against the South African Oliver Bekker. After six playoff holes Arnaus secured his first title on the DP World Tour, formerly European Tour. Best German-speaking player is Bernd Wiesberger on the sole eighth place. The two best Germans of the week are Marcel Schneider and Nicolai von Dellingshausen. Both are tied for 13th place at the end of the tournament.

Adri Arnaus with longer breath in the playoff

Already in the regular playing time Adri Arnaus was the better player on the course than Oliver Bekker. Bekker only managed an even par 72, but Adri Arnaus made a spirited recovery and played an outstanding seven under par round on the difficult PGA Catalunya Stadium Course. He remained bogey-free, making five birdies and an outstanding eagle on the second nine to close the gap to the South African by seven strokes.
In the playoff, things got tough. Both players were visibly nervous and the difficult 18th hole did not help either. The two opponents went to the 18th hole five times, each time sharing a par. Although sometimes one and sometimes the other had good starting chances after the tee shots, neither could profit from them. Important was a chip by Arnaus on the fourth extra hole. He mastered the difficult situation confidently, otherwise he stayed relatively cool on the greens in the playoff. But both of them did not manage to play out good birdie chances for the victory.

In the end, the change to the 17th hole of the course helped. The sixth playoff hole should then also bring the decision. Oliver Bekker pulled his driver and missed the fairway right in the rough. Arnaus took his driving iron and hit the ball cleanly down the fairway. His starting position was a dream, and so was his shot into the green. From 180 meters he played the iron with a slight left-right curve into the green, the ball comes up five meters before the flag and rolls towards the hole. Although it just missed the hole, it stopped just behind it at about two meters. Bekker had to deliver and didn’t, his second shot landed left in the rough next to the green. From there he saved himself cica 1.5 meters from the hole a chance at par.
Arnaus had a chance to win, but, how could it be otherwise, he missed. Now it was up to Bekker again: His par putt also lipped out and Arnaus again saw himself in the position to finally decide the tournament for himself. This time he took advantage of the situation, what followed was an understandable outburst of joy and relief. After two hours of playoff, there was finally a winner, Arnaus taking home his first DP World Tour title.

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European Tour

The K Club to host Horizon Irish Open in 2023, 2025 and 2027

horizon irish open dp world tour european tour
Horizon Irish Open will be played at the K Club in the future (Foto: DP World Tour)

The Horizon Irish Open will return to The K Club as part of a long-term deal with the DP World Tour, which will see the island of Ireland’s national Open played at the former Ryder Cup venue in 2023, 2025 and 2027.

The K Club’s commitment to the development of Irish professional golf is further enhanced by the news that the resort’s second Arnold Palmer-designed course, Palmer South, will also play host to the Challenge Tour’s Irish Challenge in the intervening years, beginning this July and again in 2024 and 2026.

The announcement continues the momentum surrounding the Horizon Irish Open, with Horizon Therapeutics – the global biotechnology company headquartered in Dublin – having signed a six-year title sponsorship deal in February, beginning with this year’s event at Mount Juliet Estate from June 30-July 3.

Next year will be just the second time The K Club has hosted the Irish Open, having done so for the first time in 2016, when four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy claimed a famous victory which will live long in the memory of Irish sports fans.

First Irish venue to host the Ryder Cup

Ten years prior to that momentous occasion, the stunning Kildare venue made history when it became the first Irish venue to host the Ryder Cup. Under Captain Ian Woosnam, Europe marched to a commanding 18½-9½ victory over the USA – with recently-announced European Captain for 2023, Henrik Stenson, holing the winning putt on his debut in the biennial contest.

Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour’s Deputy CEO, Ryder Cup Director and Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We share a special connection with The K Club through their hosting of the 2006 Ryder Cup, and we thank them for their commitment to the development of Irish golf through this long-term deal with both the DP World Tour and Challenge Tour.

“This news, along with the announcement earlier in the year of Horizon as title sponsors of the Irish Open until at least 2027, underlines the strength of our sport in Ireland, as we build towards the return of the Ryder Cup to Irish shores for its centenary edition in five years’ time at Adare Manor.”

Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD, said: “Ireland has a rich tradition in producing world-class golfing talent and I am particularly delighted to see so many Irish golfers in the field for the 2022 tournament.

“The Government’s investment in the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme continues to assist Ireland’s emerging professional players as they strive to progress through the ranks. The Horizon Irish Open is a wonderful showcase for Irish golf and for Ireland as a tourism destination.

“Our passion for golf, combined with our renowned tradition of hospitality, makes us want to share our courses and our companionship with visitors. The K Club will be the perfect host for the spectators present and for an international audience, following play from around the world.”

Paul Heery, General Manager of The K Club, said: “The K Club has always been well known as a venue for hosting successful, international golf events and now with the guidance and fresh energy from new ownership, we are delighted to be back hosting tournaments of this calibre once again.

“Establishing a new legacy at the resort”

“The K Club is evolving. We are on a journey to establish a new legacy at the resort where supporting the golfing community in Ireland is an extremely important focus for us. The team at The K Club are incredibly proud to be making this long-term commitment to Irish golf which will see us host six years of high profile tournaments in Ireland.

“We very much look forward to welcoming players from all over the world to The K Club and watching the dramatic action unfold on the fairways of our Arnold Palmer designed courses once again.”

Timothy P. Walbert, Chairman, President and CEO, Horizon Therapeutics: “To have this historic tournament associated with one of Ireland’s most prized golf venues signifies the momentum that is building for the sport and for the Horizon Irish Open.

“As we continue to grow as a company in Ireland, we also look forward to doing our part to grow the interest in the island’s national open and are excited for what the future will bring with The K Club and the DP World Tour partnerships.”

Dr Una May, CEO Sport Ireland, said: “It’s an exciting time for this tournament and I look forward to working with the DP World Tour and all of the tournament hosts over the next few years to help bring this great event to new levels of success.

“I am delighted that Sport Ireland, through its sponsorship of the Horizon Irish Open, has been able to offer two invitations to emerging Irish golfers. This will provide players with the opportunity to play in a top class DP World Tour event on home soil, and help further their careers as professional golfers.”

Like the Ryder Cup, the Irish Open was also first played in 1927 and it is now one of the world’s most famous national opens, boasting former champions such as Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, Pádraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Rory McIlroy, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal and Jon Rahm.

Tournament is a part of the Open Qualifying Series

The 2022 edition will once again form part of the Open Qualifying Series, with the top three players not already exempt earning a coveted place in the 150th edition of the Open Championship, taking place two weeks later on the Old Course at St Andrews.

The Irish Challenge returned to the Challenge Tour back in 2015 and has been played every year since – barring 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Ladies European Tour, meanwhile, will return to Irish shores for the first time in ten years when the Women’s Irish Open takes place at Dromoland Castle this September.

It was announced in February that all general admission tickets for Sunday at the 2022 Horizon Irish Open have sold out, the earliest sell-out day in the history of the DP World Tour. Limited tickets still remain for the Wednesday Celebrity Pro-Am, as well as the first three tournament days – Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Premium Experience hospitality packages are also selling fast, with The Range Club – an ideal offering for smaller groups wishing to relax in style and enjoy outstanding service in a relaxed hospitality environment – already sold out on Sunday.

(Text: DP World Tour)

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European Tour

DP World Tour: Power returns at Horizon Irish Open

_Seamus Power DP World Tour Irish Open
Seamus Power will play the Irish Open on the DP World Tour in June (Foto: Getty)

Séamus Power will play in front of his home fans for the first time since becoming a PGA TOUR winner when the Irishman tees it up at the 2022 Horizon Irish Open, which returns to the stunning Mount Juliet Estate from June 30 – July 3.

The Waterford player has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the Official World Golf Ranking, going from 434th in the world at the beginning of 2021 to his current career-high ranking of 40th.

PGA Tour Winner and Masters debutant

His achievement in becoming just the sixth Irishman to win on the PGA TOUR, at the Barbasol Championship last July, captured the imagination of the Irish sporting public and two weeks ago he made his Masters Tournament debut, aged 35.

Power, who has been based in the USA since graduating from East Tennessee State University, has only played his home national open on three occasions – making his last appearance in 2019 – and his return this year is sure to be met with a rapturous welcome at the County Kilkenny venue.

“I cannot wait to return to the Horizon Irish Open and play in front of the home fans for the first time since my win on the PGA TOUR,” said Power, who has signed up as a DP World Tour Member for the 2022 season.

“I have received so much attention and love from home since that win, and during my recent run of good form, so I’m looking forward to showing my gratitude at Mount Juliet in July.

“The Irish Open is a festival for the public”

“It’s a tournament which is very close to my heart obviously, and I had an unbelievable experience at Lahinch in 2019. The tournament has grown so much and has become a real festival for the Irish sporting public, so I’m sure it will be no different this year. Hopefully I can put on a good show for the fans.”

Last year, the returning home fans watched Australian Lucas Herbert triumph in wire-to-wire fashion, sealing a three-stroke victory for a second DP World Tour title. The promising 25-year-old has since won for the first time on the PGA TOUR, at October’s 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship and he too made his Masters debut last week.

Prior to the 2021 edition, Mount Juliet had hosted the Irish Open for three consecutive years in 1993, 1994 and 1995, won by Englishman Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer of Germany and Scotland’s Sam Torrance respectively.

It was announced in February that all general admission tickets for Sunday at the 2022 Horizon Irish Open have sold out, the earliest sell-out day in the history of the DP World Tour. Limited tickets still remain for the Wednesday Celebrity Pro-Am, as well as the first three tournament days – Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Premium Experience hospitality packages are also selling fast, with The Range Club – an ideal offering for smaller groups wishing to relax in style and enjoy outstanding service in a relaxed hospitality environment – already sold out on Sunday.

(Text: DP World Tour)

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Highlights Tours

US Masters 2022: Scottie Scheffler’s flirtation with disaster on course 18

us-masters-2022-golf-Scottie-Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler deep in the woods on 18 at the US Masters 2022 (foto: Getty)

Scottie Scheffler was in cruise control on day three at Augusta at the 2022 US Masters. At any point in the third round, he was at least three strokes ahead, and at times it was as much as seven. But a relaxed Saturday by Masters standards could have ended disastrously for Scheffler on 18. With a four-shot lead, he stood on the tee of the last hole, the narrow wooded fairway of the 18th in front of him. Before teeing off, all sorts of spectators had to be moved to get the shadows out of Scheffler’s view. Perhaps this distraction, this brief moment of reflection in the situation was too long for him, because his following tee shot was one of the worst shots of his day.

US Masters 2022 Leaderboard after round 3

Pictures at US Masters 2022 like Saturday tournament among amateurs

Scheffler’s ball started left toward the tree line. His typical fade curve failed to materialize and the ball disappeared deep into the trees on the left side of the course. Now you would think that at the Masters such a ball would be found immediately. But anxious minutes followed for Scheffler, during which helpers searched for his ball. In the end, fortunately, the ball was found, and the resulting pictures looked like an amateur in Saturday’s tournament. “Fortunately, they found the ball. And then I was just trying to figure out how to get it on the green with my third shot.” Scheffler, scrambling among bushes and branches, looked for a way out of the mess. All day, his round was going relatively smoothly, until that moment. But Scheffler remained deeply relaxed in his inimitable way, as he had throughout the US Masters 2022.

Clever interpretation of the rules help Scheffler

Scheffler’s first idea was to play the ball from there. But the heavy stand and the branches made that impossible. The second idea was the much better one. He declared the ball unplayable and subsequently got a drop two club lengths from the ball no closer to flag. Those two club lengths were enough to drop in an area on the left edge of the lane where he had a free swing. After discussions with the referee, he was allowed, in accordance with the rules, to remove pine needles in the drop area and test the ground for roots. On the drop, the ball rolled out of the designated area twice, and as a result, he was able to place the ball. The rest was a formality for Scheffler, world No. 1 and currently the best player on the planet. Iron 3 from 215 meters just behind the green, and then a relaxed up-and-down to the five. The bogey could be the important piece of the puzzle for Scheffler to win at the end of the fourth day. He enters the final round with a three-stroke lead over Cameron Smith, although it could have been considerably less.