- By Ivan Agnew, award-winning sports writer
The Tigermania that returned to Augusta for this year’s Masters was finally overshadowed by Scottie Scheffler who completed his fourth win in six PGA tournaments he has contested this year.
With a 10-under total on Monday after rounds of 69 67 71 71, the humble Texan mastered the tricky greens and gales that made life difficult on the beautiful but sometimes treacherous course.
With Rory McIlroy scoring a sensational record-equalling final round 64 to finish second at 7-under, there was plenty of drama, especially when he and Collin Morikawa sunk long chips from the 18th hole bunker to register birdies.
While Morikawa’s was relatively straight, McIlroy’s miraculous feat featured a long, sharp swing left to the hole which sent him and the crowd into raptures.
Not all ended happily. That was true of gifted Aussie Cameron Smith who began the final day with two birdies to close on Scheffler.
Sadly, his hopes sunk with his ball in the water when he ended with a 3 over on the 12th.
Still, his final round 73 after 68 74 68 clinched him third equal with Irishman Shane Lowry.
Having scrambled magnificently with his chips and putts to ease the pressure, it was ironic Scheffler needed three putts from 2ft for a bogey on the last. However, it didn’t matter for a worthy champion.
In contrast, Tiger Woods limped home 47th with a final round 78 for plus 13. Brave but unrealistic in stating he believed he could win despite badly mangling his leg in a car crash 14 months ago and having had no PGA play since.
All hail to new champion Scheffler who became the fastest man on the world circuit to move to No 1. From winning his first PGA title, it took him just 42 days to do it.
Next best are five-times Masters champion Woods (252 days) and David Duval (532).
Now with an incredible four wins in his last six events, Scheffler’s rise to the top deserves universal acclaim.
Meanwhile, with the Chiefs denied three tries on home turf in their 25-0 Super Rugby loss to the rampant Blues, it still remained a wonderful win for the visitors which head coach Leon MacDonald justifiably rates the best in his fourth year tenure.
Particularly unlucky was speedy left wing Etene Nanai-Seturo who crossed twice, one under the posts and the other in the corner, only to be denied by the TMO.
Especially pleasing was the return to top form of Beauden Barrett who set up two for Tom Robinson from a long skip pass and superbly judged cross kick
Forward coach Tom Coventry has done a splendid job in gelling his forwards and Robinson’s contribution in partnership with fellow loosies Hoskins Sotutu and Dalton Papalii gave them an edge against their highly-rated Chiefs opponents.
As a former Cantabrian, MacDonald will be hoping to see a repeat effort against a Crusaders side lucky to survive a 24-21 win against the Hurricanes when Ardie Savea failed to convince the referee to call upon the TMO in claiming a last-minute lineout foul against him.
However, like Cantabrians, Crusaders usually sharpen their swords whenever Aucklanders and Blues come to their town.
Hence it should be a true test of the Blues mettle.
