The pre-tournament favorite leads into the final round of The Masters. Golfâs first major weekend of 2024 is headed towards a historic finish with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler looking to capture his second green jacket. Scheffler (-7) leads his Sunday playing partner Collin Morikawa (-6) by 1-stroke. Both players are 27-years-old.
The last time both members of a final pairing on Masters Sunday were both major winners in their 20s? 1965 – Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Last year both Jon Rahm (28) and Brooks Koepka (32) played in the final group in The Masters as major winners.
A win by Morikawa would be his first green jacket and third major title having captured the 2020 PGA Championship and 2021 British Open, both on debut. A Masters win by Morikawa would move him into elite company with three legs of the career grand slame before age 28.
âIâm proud of how I played today. It was a good fight out there,â Scheffler said following Round 3. âThe golf course was extremely challenging. The greens were very firm, very fast, and it was extremely difficult again today.â
Scheffler and the top players feed off the energy of the crowd, and the fans roars Sunday will hit peak levels.
âI double 10 and bogey 11, and then we were walking up that tee on 12 and everybody kind of stands up behind the tee and starts cheering me on,â Scheffler says. âIt’s a really nice feeling to have the crowd behind you. I try to embrace that as much as possible out there.â
After falling out of the lead on No. 10 and 11, Scheffler got a huge roar from the crowd when his long eagle putt on the Par 5 at No. 13 fell. A birdie on the Par 5 at No. 15, and bogey-birdie finish on the Par 4âs at No. 17 and 18 has him leading Morikawa by 1-shot into Sundayâs final round.
Morikawa finished 5th in the 2022 Masters with a final round 67, and T10 last year in the 2023 Masters with a final round 72. Heâs the only player in the 2024 Masters to play every round under par (71, 70, 69). Morikawa made a few tweeks to his golf swing to try and get more comfortable ahead of The Masters. He also acknowledged not putting well or feeling comfortable with the putter. He switched putters mid-tournament on Friday to a mallet, Spider putter, and âwas feeling great, better than I’ve kind of felt all year.â
Now Morikawa is in position to make history and win a green jacket while also moving from No. 20 in the world rankings to top-10.
Sitting just behind those two leaders is 33-year-old Max Homa (-5), who plays in the pen pairing with 24-year-old Masters rookie Swede sensation Ludvig Aberg (-4). Both are shooting for their first major title.
Homa had a terrific comment following his Round 3, which includined 17 pars and 1 bogey.
“If I catch myself thinking about what could go wrong, I let myself dream of what could go right.”- Max Homa
Final Round Odds To Win 2024 Masters
Leading favorites and contenders golf odds from FanDuel Sportsbook refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on prop bets and live betting.
- -115: Scottie Scheffler (-7)
- +350: Collin Morikawa (-6)
- +750: Max Homa (-5)
- +900: Ludvig Agerg (-4)
- +2000: Bryson DeChambeau (-3)
- +3500: Xander Schauffele (-2)
- +9000: Cameron Smith (-1)
- +11000: Nocolai Hojgaard (-2)
- +11000: Tommy Fleetwood (-1)
- +12000: Cameron Young (-1)
- +15000: Cam Davis (-1)
- +22000: Byeong Hun An (-1)
The top-12 finishers earn a return invitation to the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Players tied for 13th includ leading pre-tournament top contenders Patrick Cantlay (E) and another shot back Matt Fitzpatrick (+1) and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed. Top players at +3 and still in range to crack the top-12 include Rory McIlroy, Will Zalatoris, Tyrrell Hatton and Joaquin Niemann.
Also, Neal Shipley is the low amateur and wins the Silver Cup with the other four amateurs missing the cut. Shipleyâs dream continues Sunday as heâs paired with Tiger Woods in the final round after Woodâs shot a career-worst 82 at Augusta Saturday.
Masters Stats And Notes
Total strokes gained leaders into Round 4 of The Masters are Chris Kirk (+6.30), Morikawa (+5.30), Aberg, Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay and Adam Scott all at +4.30. Kirk, Morikawa and Aberg are also top 3 in SG: Tee-to-Green.
Nicolai Hojgaard (+3.19) leads in SG: Putting with Xander Schauffele (+1/80) the only other player in contention in the top 10 of putting. Aberg (+3.45) leads in SG: Approach followed by Joaquin Niemann, Will Zalatoris and Tommy Fleetwood. Strokes gained leaders Around-the-Green are Morikawa 2nd and Scheffler 4th.
Follow Lead Data Analyst Justin Ray Golf for more notes to know into the final round of The Masters. More golf coverage and prop bets add to the watch and wager action with players shooting for a green jacket and top finishing position to earn an invitation to next yearâs Masters as well.
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