Day four digest: 2022 Masters Tournament

Everything you need to know from the final round of the 86th edition of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. 

Scottie Scheffler underlined his status as the World Number One in the Official World Golf Ranking with his maiden Major victory, Rory McIlroy produced a record-equalling final round to finish second and Tiger Woods confirmed his plans to play in The Open Championship at St Andrews.

Scheffler wins first Major

Scottie Scheffler, in his first tournament as the world’s best-ranked golfer, continued his rich vein of success in 2022 with his fourth title in his last six events. Even a four-putt double bogey on the 72nd hole did not deny Scheffler as he held off a brilliant final-round charge by Rory McIlroy to win by three shots after a closing 71. The 25-year-old American saw his overnight three-shot lead reduced to just one by the third tee after a birdie-birdie start from playing partner Cameron Smith, aiming to become the first player other than Tiger Woods to win the PLAYERS Championship and Masters in the same year. An unlikely chip-in birdie saw Scheffler reassert his control before he had to keep an inspired Rory McIlroy at bay and overcome the psychological pressure of trying to win a Major Championship for the first time. “I was so overwhelmed and didn’t know I was ready for this,” Scheffler said. “I cried like a baby this morning.”

Rory ‘as happy’ as he’s ever been after stunning final round

"To play as well as I did and finish like that is absolutely incredible," said Rory McIlroy. “This tournament never ceases to amaze. That is as happy as I have ever been on a golf course." That was the reaction of four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy after he equalled the lowest final round in Masters history with a blemish-free 64, which included six birdies and an eagle, to finish second. McIlroy sparked a jubilant reaction when he holed his third shot from a greenside bunker at the par four 18th. Remarkably, McIlroy's playing partner Collin Morikawa matched the feat from the very same bunker. McIlroy's performance – the lowest-scoring round and the only bogey-free round by any player this week – resulted in his best-ever finish at the Masters and should offer great encouragement to the Northern Irishman that he can go on to complete the career Grand Slam.

Tiger confirms plan to play at The 150th Open Championship

After completing his first competitive appearance since suffering multiple injuries in a car accident last year, Woods confirmed his intention to play in this year’s Open Championship at St Andrews. "I am looking forward to St Andrews," he said. "That is something that is near and dear to my heart. I've won two Opens there, it's the Home of Golf, it's my favourite golf course in the world so I will be there for that one." However, Woods was unsure whether he would play at the US PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club from May 19-22. Despite a second successive 78 over the weekend, having made his 22nd consecutive cut in the event, Woods received a standing ovation as he made his way to the 18th green. "It was an unbelievable feeling just to have the patrons and their support out there," the American added.

Min Woo caps Masters debut with front-nine 30 on Sunday

Min Woo Lee equalled the lowest-ever front nine with a six under par 30 in the final round. The 23-year-old Australian eagled the par five second before a run of four straight birdies from the sixth moved him into fourth place on the leaderboard. The two-time DP World Tour winner’s momentum was stopped with four bogeys in a row to start the back nine as he carded a 70 to finish the week in a tie for 14th place. Despite missing out on receiving an automatic invite back to Augusta next year by one shot, Lee was upbeat about the strides in his game over the four rounds. “Really positive vibes there. I’ll take a few weeks off now and work on a couple of things, but maybe a little celebratory drink with the team,” he said.