Scottie Scheffler wins Masters and will now net eye-popping prize money

Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to the Daily Star’s newsletter

Golf star Scottie Scheffler has won the 2022 Masters and banked himself a staggering £2million in prize money, according to NBC sports.

The world no.1 has won the tournament in his first ever Masters start, becoming the fourth player in history to ever achieve such a feat. Scheffler led the way for the majority of the tournament, and finished with a 72-hole score of 278 (-10), equalling previous winner Hideki Matsuyama's total (278).

The 25-year-old has become the eighth youngest winner of the tournament, and staggeringly his Masters success is his first ever major in the sport. Starting off with the biggest one of them all could be the start of a very successful reign at the top of the world rankings for Scheffler.

Although Scheffler held a sizeable lead, he was pressured by Cameron Smith who pushed him all the way. But the Australian couldn't keep up his pursuit, and saw his runners-up spot poached by Rory McIlroy, who admitted to Sky Sports: "That was the most fun I've ever had on a golf course."

McIlroy had a staggering final day, finishing on 64 to surge up the final rankings despite entering Sunday one over par. His late masterclass saw him take second spot against all the odds, finishing one stroke off the Augusta course record after a fabulous round of golf.

Before Smith's collapse, It initially looked as though it wasn't going to be Scheffler's day as the Australian birdied his first two holes and moved within one stroke of the world no.1. However, he quickly gave those two shots back to hand Scheffler the advantage, and then quickly trailed off.

HAVE YOUR SAY: How many majors will Scottie Scheffler win this year? Comment below.

It was a Masters success that was expected heading into the weekend, as Scheffler tied the tournament record for the largest lead at the halfway stage. And he kept his cool to sweep up £2m in prize money, and the famous green jacket.

It was the Scottie show for the Augusta crowd, as the American calmly strolled around the course throughout the four-day tournament, barely showing any emotion as he treated the Masters like an exhibition. But it was all smiles come the end of play, as Scheffler could finally revel in victory.

It was a memorable tournament for so many reasons, as Tiger Woods made his return after a lengthy spell away from the course. And the greatest of all time made the weekend cut despite his recent injury setbacks.

And Scheffler was clearly happy that Woods was there to take some of the heat off him as world no.1, as he said: "Tiger takes a lot of attention away from all of us, which I think is a good thing. He's used to being in the spotlight."

Scheffler will now be able to celebrate his Masters success before the PGA Championship gets underway on May 19, as Oklahoma becomes the next stage for golf's biggest stars.

Masters 2022 prize money breakdown for the top five, as released by NBC Sports:

1st: £2m

2nd: £1.25m

3rd: £780,000

4th: £550,000

5th: £460,000

• Golf
• Tiger Woods

Source: Read Full Article