Tag: The masters

Following four days of thrilling golf at Augusta, we have a new Masters champion. Scottie Scheffler was the clear favourite going into the tournament and he didn’t disappoint, winning by four strokes to reclaim his title from last year’s winner Jon Rahm.

Rookie Ludvig Aberg almost pulled off a shock as he secured second place, while Tommy Fleetwood was the UK’s finest performer. Rory McIlroy struggled to get going, while five-time winner Tiger Woods finished bottom of the pile.

Scheffler claims second green jacket

Having started the tournament as the clear runaway favourite, it was no surprise to see Scheffler being presented with the green jacket on the 18th hole at Augusta. The 27-year-old was clearly emotional and it was touch and go whether he would finish the competition with his wife due to give birth.

The world number one dazzled on the final day to finish 11 under, four strokes clear of second-placed Aberg. Scheffler won the competition for the second time in three years, having finished three clear of McIlroy back in 2022.

Scheffler led by just one stroke going into the final day and continued where he left off on Sunday as he eventually broke into a four-stroke lead. But it wasn’t all plain sailing as a disappointing bogey on the seventh saw Aberg and Collin Morikawa draw level.

But three consecutive birdies saw Scheffler edge ahead and after that there was no stopping the 27-year-old. Having already won the Arnold Palmer and Players Championship this year, he’s in the form of his life.

This year’s Masters was just the second major title of Scheffler’s career but the world number one will be targeting further success, starting with the PGA Championship next month, which he tied for second in last year.

Aberg shines on major debut

Scheffler’s imperious performance in the final round made his victory an inevitability – but there was almost a shock winner. On his debut in a major tournament, Aberg finished seven under and was just four strokes behind the eventual champion.

The Swede was looking to become the first Masters debutant to win since 1979 and he’d have been the second successive underdog story following Brian Harman’s shock US Open glory last year,

Aberg is just 24 years old but he has excellent pedigree and was picked by Luke Donald for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup back in the autumn. He showed his class at Augusta and was putting pressure on Scheffler throughout but a double bogey on the 11th saw him drop back.

He finished just ahead of a third-placed trio that included Max Homa and surprise 2021 Masters winner Morikawa. The pair finished alongside Tommy Fleetwood, who made a late charge for the green jacket in his best ever Masters finish.

He’s yet to win a major title but has come second in the US Open and Open Championship previously. He’s now finished in the top 10 in three consecutive majors and will fancy his chances at finishing top of the pile before the season comes to a close.

McIlroy’s Grand Slam woes continue

Ahead of the Masters, McIlroy maintained hope of finally completing a career Grand Slam. The prestigious tournament is the fourth and final major he needs for his collection but he ultimately finished 22nd in this year’s edition, four shots over.

McIlroy has won all three of the other majors, although he’s not tasted victory in one since his PGA Championship and Open Championship double 10 years ago. The world number two never really got going at Augusta and ultimately finished 15 strokes behind Scheffler.

His 71 on the opening day was his lowest at the Masters since 2018 but he followed it up by failing to get a single birdie in the second round. McIlroy went into the final day with slim championship hopes as he needed to make up a 10-stroke deficit but Scheffler’s form made it an impossible task.

Following a disappointing showing, McIlroy is well aware of where he needs to improve as he looks ahead to the rest of the season. But while there are plenty more tournaments waiting to be won during the rest of 2024, he’ll already be dreaming of claiming the elusive green jacket in a year’s time.

Watch golf in style with Engage

If the Masters tickled your fancy, we’ve got plenty of opportunities to watch golf from the best seats in the house this year. Take advantage of our exclusive hospitality packages at the Open Championship, the Scottish Open and the PGA Championship.

And if you want to show off your skills, why not join us for one of our ICON Golf Days? Enquire today to book your place.

You know summer is just around the corner when the major golf championships come back. Luckily, we’re in for a treat because The Masters returns to Augusta next week for its 88th edition.

The world’s best golfers will flock to Georgia for four days of top-class sporting action, with one superstar set to receive the iconic green jacket. The Masters kicks off at Augusta National Golf Club next Thursday, with the final day taking place on Sunday 14th April.

The tournament features the smallest field of all four majors as it’s an invitational event, with strict conditions around who can compete across the four rounds of 18 holes. It kicks off a succession of major competitions each month, with the PGA Championship coming up in May before the US Open in June and the Open Championship in July.

Jon Rahm is looking to defend his title having come out on top last year, although he’ll face stiff competition from the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. If you fancy seeing the best golfers on the planet up close, there’s still time to take advantage of Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages.

You can join us in The Foundry at Rae’s Creek or in Augusta Country Club, with both facilities located just minutes from the action. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a premium bar and TV screens so you don’t miss a second of the action.

Who are the favourites?

The runaway favourite ahead of the tournament is world number one Scheffler, who’s enjoyed a strong start to 2024. The American has already won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship and became the first ever player to win the latter in consecutive years.

Scheffler won The Masters back in 2022 – it remains his only major win and he’ll be hoping to continue his form and add another one to his collection. Standing in his way will be McIlroy, who is yet to claim the green jacket at Augusta.

McIlroy came second to Scheffler in the 2022 competition and The Masters remains the only major that he’s yet to win. Although he’s claimed the other three, he’s not won one since landing the PGA Championship and the Open double back in 2014. Can he end his drought in Georgia next week?

Meanwhile, reigning champion Rahm will fancy his chances at defending his crown. The Spaniard is ranked third in the world and finished four strokes ahead of runners-up Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson a year ago. It would be just his third major title having claimed the US Open three years ago.

Who are the dark horses?

Hideki Matsuyama is an outsider for this year’s Masters title but he’s got history, having come out on top back in 2021 despite being ranked 25th in the world. He became the first ever Japanese golfer to win a major championship as he finished one stroke clear of Will Zalatoris.

Elsewhere, the likes of Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele will be hoping to upset the odds and win The Masters for the first time. Both golfers finished just one stroke behind Tiger Woods as he shocked the world by claiming a fifth title back in 2019.