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Kurt Johnson
Golf fans around the world tuned in to a tradition like no other this weekend and witnessed an official yet blatantly obvious changing of the guard. Scottie Scheffler, a humble 27-year-old from Texas with a unique swing all his own, donned his second green jacket and in so doing set himself apart as the next great golf superstar.
Scheffler came in on a hot streak as the world’s No. 1 golfer having won two of his last three starts, but his performance in Augusta, especially on Sunday, revealed the mettle and makings of a man destined to etch his name in golfing lore, as if he hasn’t already. With the winds howling and the putts not falling for most, Scheffler just kept his head down, quite literally, and did what he does, playing spectacular yet steady golf when it matters.
The only frustration for me was the lack of drama down the stretch. I was hoping for a two- or three-man showdown starting at Amen Corner, with the outcome hanging on each swing over the most famous nine holes in golf. That didn’t happen, as Scheffler ruined the suspense with poise under pressure, carding birdies while his worthy opponents stumbled one by one. It was over when he birdied No. 14 to take a four-shot lead.
But in the end it was and is pretty hard not to root for Scottie Scheffler. What’s not to like about a guy who puts family first and humbly defers attention when he can to those who help him be in a position to do what he loves. It would have been disappointing to see the soft-spoken Texan put his clubs aside and race for the airport Sunday if his wife Meredith had gone into labor, but the fact that he was ready to do just that tells you where his priorities lie.
As another sign of his genuine heart, Scheffler paused before taking the traditional winner’s walk to the clubhouse, wanting to share the moment with his caddie, whom he credited for helping him win. What a classy move by a classy guy, a breath of fresh air in today’s sporting world. Amidst the LIV Golf controversy that has split this game in so many ways at the professional level, Scheffler is a beacon of positivity and talent, and just an all-around likable guy.
On the other side of Sunday’s transition, Tiger Woods gutted out another Masters. He set a record for most consecutive cuts made, though finished last on the leaderboard. Woods is and will always be revered for his impact on the game, but I think we’ve seen the last of his heroics in Sunday red at the majors.
You don’t have to be a golfer, or a golf fan, to enjoy the sights, sounds and traditions of The Masters, though if you have been bitten by that bug this is an exciting weekend. There is just something magical about seeing the game’s greatest compete on such an incredible golf landscape cut among the Georgia pines.
As for the color of the landscape, peach is the new red.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net
