He was supposed to be at the hospital. Honestly, that was the biggest subplot of the week. Scottie Scheffler arrived at Augusta National in April 2024 with a clear plan: if his wife Meredith went into labor back in Dallas, he was walking off the course. No questions asked. Even if he was leading by five on the 15th hole on Sunday. It felt like a movie script. But the baby stayed put, and Scottie did what Scottie does. He dismantled the best golfers in the world with a cold, terrifying efficiency that we haven't seen since the early 2000s.
When people ask who won the 2024 Masters, the name is Scottie Scheffler, but the "how" is a lot more interesting than just a name on a trophy.
The Sunday Meat Grinder at Augusta
Golf fans love to say that the Masters doesn't start until the back nine on Sunday. Usually, that’s true. In 2024, it was more like a slow-motion car crash for everyone not named Scottie. By the time the leaders turned toward Amen Corner, there was a four-way tie. You had Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, and the Swedish sensation Ludvig Åberg all breathing down Scheffler’s neck. It looked like we were headed for a classic shootout.
Then, the course started biting back.
Morikawa took a double bogey on the 9th. Homa found the bushes on the 12th. Åberg, playing in his first-ever major—which is insane when you think about it—yanked one into the water on 11. While everyone else was bleeding strokes, Scheffler just kept hitting greens. He birdied 8, 9, and 10 in a row. It was like watching a guy play chess while everyone else was playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.
Who Won the 2024 Masters and Why It Was Historical
Scheffler's final round 68 wasn't just good; it was a statement. He finished at 11-under par, four strokes clear of Åberg. This win put him in a very exclusive club. He became the fourth-youngest player to ever win two Green Jackets. The others? Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Seve Ballesteros. Not bad company to keep.
What's wild is how much money was on the line. The 2024 purse was a record-breaking $20 million. Scottie took home $3.6 million for his trouble. To put that in perspective, the guy who finished second, Ludvig Åberg, made $2.16 million—which is more than some winners took home just a few years ago.
The Final Top Leaderboard
- Scottie Scheffler: -11 (Winner)
- Ludvig Åberg: -7 (Solo 2nd)
- Tommy Fleetwood: -4 (T-3)
- Max Homa: -4 (T-3)
- Collin Morikawa: -4 (T-3)
Tiger Woods was there too, by the way. He made his 24th consecutive cut, which is a record that might never be broken. But the weekend was rough for him. He shot an 82 on Saturday—his worst round ever at a major—and finished last among those who made the cut. It was a reminder that even the GOAT is human, whereas Scheffler currently feels like a robot programmed to hit 4-irons.
The "Baby Watch" Drama
You've gotta appreciate the mental toughness here. Every time Scheffler hit a shot, you half-expected a caddie to run out with a ringing cell phone. Meredith was overdue. Scottie was basically living on high alert. He told reporters after the win that his head was "spinning" a bit, thinking about his son.
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Bennett Scheffler was eventually born on May 8th, about three weeks after the tournament. If he’d come early, we might be talking about Ludvig Åberg as a Masters champion right now. Golf is a game of inches, but in 2024, it was also a game of timing.
Why This Win Changed the Narrative
Before this, people knew Scottie was good, but there were questions about his putting. He’d changed to a mallet-style putter right before the spring run, and it clicked. Winning the Masters just weeks after winning The Players Championship is something only Tiger had done in the same calendar year.
It basically ended the debate. He isn't just the "World No. 1" because of a math formula; he's the best player on the planet by a massive margin. The gap between him and second place right now feels like the distance between a skyscraper and a curb.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Round
If you're looking to play like a champion, or at least stop losing balls in the woods, take a page out of the 2024 Masters playbook:
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- Manage the "Momentous Decision": On the 13th hole, Scheffler and his caddie Ted Scott discussed going for the green in two. They chose to "do what they're good at"—hitting a crisp iron. Don't play the shot you wish you had; play the one you've actually practiced.
- Short Memory Wins: Åberg made a double bogey on 11, but he didn't collapse. He followed it up with birdies on 13 and 14. If you blow a hole, treat the next tee box like a new game.
- Efficiency over Ego: Scheffler doesn't have the "prettiest" swing with his dancing feet, but his impact position is perfect. Focus on where the ball goes, not how you look on camera.
- Check the Conditions: Thursday was a wind-blown nightmare with gusts over 40 mph. If it's windy, take more club and swing easier. Trying to "kill" the ball into a headwind is a recipe for a 90.
The 2024 Masters was a masterclass in staying calm when the world is waiting for you to trip. Whether it was the pressure of the back nine or the literal life-changing event waiting for him at home, Scottie Scheffler didn't blink. He just kept walking. And he walked right into his second Green Jacket.