Champ reveals 20-minute celebration as rivals stunned

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler would be the first to lament he doesn’t spend enough time celebrating his achievements, which are piling up at an alarming pace.

He made an exception however after winning his second green jacket in three years.

The 27-year-old flew home to Dallas with his four close friends, manager and coach and with his wife’s blessing when she picked them up from the airport, they all went to the Inwood Tavern to celebrate, with Scheffler still in his green jacket.

They stayed 20 minutes and then it was closing time. Scheffler technically can say they closed down the bar.

Scottie Scheffler is awarded the Green Jacket by 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm.

“Took a few photos, had a drink and then went home and went to bed,” Scheffler said.

His wife Meredith is not due with the couple’s first child for about two more weeks.

Scheffler had planned all along to play in the $31 million RBC Heritage event at Harbout Town Golf Links and he never gave a thought to anything but honouring his commitment.

That doesn’t mean the other 68 players at Harbour are playing for second this week – it only seems that way on the surface.

Max Homa, speaking of his own reflections at Augusta National, made a passing reference to Scheffler as “the best player in the world” after his own spirited challenge.

“The gap seems to be quite large,” he said after a third-placed Masters finish.

“He’s gone first, first, second, first. Three of those events are the best fields we’ve got. One of them is another good field on a really difficult golf course. I think we’ve seen few people do this over the years as far as excellence over a little bit of time.

“His seems to be sustained a bit longer than I can remember from a lot of people.”

Scottie Scheffler celebrates on the 18th green after winning the 2024 Masters.

Much was made of Scheffler saying he would leave the Masters if his wife went into labour, though he was simply answering a question. “No signs of early labour,” he said.

So many others found Harbour Town a good place to reflect on the first major of the year and that includes Ludvig Aberg, the runner-up at the Masters who already is among the top 10 in the world ranking without having played a major until Augusta.

He was tied for the lead until a shot into the water left of the 11th green that led to double bogey, and Scheffler never gave him a chance to catch up.

“You don’t really know what it’s going to be like to play your first major until you really play it,” Aberg said.

“I felt like we handled that really well, and it makes us really excited about the next one.

“I can’t do anything about Scottie. He’s an unbelievable player and a person, and I respect him so much. I think it’s good to have him here because he’s pushing everyone else to get a little bit better, as well.”