World no 1 Scottie Scheffler can now call himself a major champion after winning the 2022 US Masters at Augusta.
He started the day with a three shot lead over Cameron Smith, but after the Australian's challenge perished with a disastrous triple bogey on the 12th, the unflappable Scheffler kept his composure to eventually win by three from runner-up Rory McIlroy.
The victory makes it four tournament wins for the American this year, and ultimately cements his status at the top of the rankings. And the manner in which he secured his first green jacket suggests he has the quality, and temperament, to challenge for major titles for years to come.
In a dramatic start, Scheffler, 25, saw his lead cut to just one stroke after two holes after Smith opened up with back-to-back birdies. But on the third the pendulum swung again, the leader recovering from a poor drive to chip in for birdie - as his rival dropped a shot back.
The deficit between the two increased to four when Smith then bogeyed the next hole, but he did grab one back with a sublime birdie at 11 - before disaster struck. Trying to carry the water on the par-three twelfth, the risk backfired and after making a six, his challenge was essentially over.
Indeed, the 28-year-old cut a despondent figure in the closing holes despite fighting back to finish five under par. It meant he tied for third with Shane Lowry, but despite again proving this week he can contend in a big tournament, Smith's wait for maiden Major continues.
But whilst many were geared up for a Sunday shootout between the top two, few had banked on McIlroy charging into contention. Having started his round 10 shots off the lead at one over par, the Northern Irishman found his Sunday best, making up five shots before a sublime eagle on 15 took him to six under.
But crucially, the next par five two holes later could only yield a par, and his challenge seemed to have fizzled out when he sensationally holed from the bunker on 18 to card a 64 and finish seven under par.
That left Scheffler needing to hold his nerve, and a three stroke advantage, over his final five holes. And when he birdied the 14th after putting his approach with six feet, the green jacket was within his grasp.
There was no sign of tension as he opted to carry the water on the 15th and made the green in two, resulting in another birdie, and then pars at 16 and 17 rendered the final hole a victory procession.
The standing ovation Scheffler got as he made his way up the 18th was only rivalled by that given to Tiger Woods earlier in the day. The five-time Masters winner had closed out his remarkable comeback with a 77, and afterwards immediately stated his intention to play The Open Championship in July.
But the day belonged to his compatriot. As he tried to finish off, finally there came a blip as he four putted the final green for double bogey - but it didn't curtail the celebrations as he saluted the galleries while the crowd chanted his name.
In his green jacket ceremony, Scheffler said: "Imight look calm but it is a long tough day and I just tried to keep my head down. The first time I had dreamt about it [winning] was on Friday at nine, I had never really thought about it."
Discussing what was next he added: "I want to go home! I am pretty tired, I don't know I'm lost for words... I can't thank my family enough It was a really special moment."
