Scottie Scheffler facing ‘change in priorities’ after Masters win

More major championship success is in Scottie Scheffler’s sights this year, despite facing a ‘change in priorities’ after his Masters win.

Scheffler, who is now a two-time Masters champion, admits the birth of his first child will become his main priority, with golf taking a back seat.

However, the 26-year-old’s love for competing means his rivals aren’t set to be handed any sign of reprieve in the coming months.

“I’m definitely not going to intentionally take my eye off the ball,” Scheffler said, after winning for a third time this year.

“I will go home, soak in this victory tonight [and] will definitely enjoy the birth of my first child. But with that being said, I still love competing.

“My priorities will change here very soon. My son or daughter will now be the main priority, along with my wife, so golf will now be probably fourth in line.

“But I still love competing. I don’t plan on taking my eye off the ball anytime soon, that’s for sure.”

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The American eased to a four-shot victory from Masters debutant Ludvig Aberg, after insisting earlier in the week that he would withdraw from the tournament if his wife went into labour.

Undisturbed, though, Scheffler was in control of his game as those around him faltered.

Aberg, aiming to become the first rookie to win since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, found the water with his approach on 11, before Collin Morikawa did the same to kick off proceedings at Amen Corner.

Meanwhile, Max Homa made double bogey on 12 to leave Scheffler alone at the top.

Magic of his own resulted in seven birdies completing a final round of 68 and one worthy of a second Masters success, however.

It was the Texan’s third victory in his last four starts, adding to wins at the PLAYERS Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational.

And finishing with one stroke on the putting green was welcomed by Scheffler, who said he didn’t allow himself to enjoy the lead.

“1-putting is significantly easier,” Scheffler said, recalling a four-putt on the final green in 2022.

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“Yeah, I tried not to let my emotions get the best of me this time, I kept my head down, I don’t think I even took my hat off and waved to the crowd walking up 18.

“I did my best to stay in the moment, and I wanted to finish off the tournament in the right way. And I got to soak it in there after 1-putting instead of 4-putting, which was a little bit better.

“Just like any human would, your mind starts to wander a little bit out there on the golf course. I mean, we’re out there for four or five hours at a time.

“I tried to soak in stuff around me today. I looked up at the trees at times, I looked up at the fans occasionally to try to soak in some of their energy.

“But did not ever let myself get attached to the lead. I just tried to keep pushing. I mean, I think if I would have played a little bit defensively it would have been a significantly different finish.

“If I was just trying to make pars the whole back nine, I would have been standing on 18 having to make par and hoping Ludvig would only make a par.

“Around this golf course you have to stay aggressive. You have to hit the right shots, there’s no way around it out here. You just have to hit the right shots and fortunately I was able to do that.”

Scheffler is now just the 18th player to win multiple Masters titles and banked $3.6 million in the process.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.