Scottie Scheffler says golf will now be “fourth in line” after his second Masters title due to the impending birth of his first child, but he is adamant he won’t take his “eye off the ball”.
The American took a four-shot victory from 24-year-old Swedish debutant Ludvig Aberg at Augusta National on Sunday to clinch the famous Green Jacket.
After winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational by five shots and becoming the first player to secure back-to-back Players Championship titles, the 27-year-old was considered a heavy favourite for the Masters in a way not seen since peak-era Tiger Woods.
And the world number one carded an impressive four-under-par 68 in Sunday’s final round, fighting off Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Aberg.
Aberg tried to keep pace with Scheffler but a string of birdies meant the American was untouchable, emerging from the four-way lead with six birdies in a 10-hole stretch around the turn.
A birdie on the 16th put the result beyond doubt, setting up a comfortable par at the par-4 17th, before a heroic walk up the par-4 18th hole while supporters offered their appreciation.
Despite claiming his second Masters in three years, Scheffler’s post-tournament thoughts were of his wife Meredith who is pregnant with their first child.
He said: “I will go home, soak in this victory tonight. 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.
“It’s hard to put into words how special this is. It’s been a long week, a grind of a week. The golf course was so challenging, and to be sitting here wearing this jacket again and getting to take it home is extremely special.”
While Scheffler’s rivals stumbled around Amen Corner – the 11th, 12th and 13th holes at Augusta – the 27-year-old kept his head down.
“Enjoy the lead? No. I think, just like any human would, your mind starts to wander a little bit out there on the golf course,” he said.
“I mean, we’re out there for four or five hours at a time. You got to let your mind wander. 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. I went for the green in two on 13, was able to make birdie. I attacked the pin on 14 and was able to make birdie. Went for it again on 15 and made a nice par, and I hit a really good shot on 16 to make birdie.
“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.”
On what this says about his future in the sport, he added: “I try not to think about the past or the future too much.
“I love trying to live in the present. I’ve had a really good start to the year, and I hope that I can continue on this path that I’m on.
“I’m going to continue to put in the work that’s got me here. I mean, yeah, that’s pretty much it. I’m going to continue to put in the work, keep my head down. I like, when I step up on the tee at a tournament, being able to tell myself that I did everything I could to play well and the rest isn’t up to me.”
