Scottie Scheffler has continued his recent hot streak with a dominant three-shot victory at the Masters, winning his first major in the process.
The 25-year-old recently became world number one courtesy of three wins from five tournaments and from Friday onwards, the American never looked like being denied the biggest triumph of the lot.
Going toe-to-toe with Cameron Smith, Scheffler's lead was only at one shot momentarily, a magnificent chip-in on the third halting the Australian's early momentum.
Scheffler's only bogey on the opening 12 holes came at 10, consistency which kept the pressure on Smith, and it ultimately paid off as the Australian triple-bogeyed the par-three 12th.
By this stage, Smith's race was run, but up ahead, Rory McIlroy was putting together one of the rounds of his career, equalling the course record for the final round with an error-free 64.
The Northern Irishman capped a memorable day with an outrageous hole-out from the bunker on the 18th hole, the four-time major champion later admitting that it had been one of the most enjoyable few hours of his career.
While McIlroy was in the clubhouse at seven-under-par, Scheffler held a five-shot advantage heading into the last, and although nerves got the better of him as he missed two putts within three feet, a double bogey was enough to cement his place in history.
A par for Smith on the last ensured that he ended the tournament in a share of third place with Ireland's Shane Lowry, who closed another strong major showing with a 69.
Collin Morikawa was fifth on his own, while Danny Willett was the best of the English contingent as he finished in a tie for 12th spot alongside fellow former winner Dustin Johnson.
Much of the week has been centred around the comeback of Tiger Woods, and the five-time winner would end in 47th spot after posting a second successive round of 78.
Speaking afterwards, Woods revealed that he had made no decision over whether to compete at the US PGA Championship in May.
Darren Plant
