Scottie Scheffler finished his first round at Augusta National on Thursday with his usual calm and steady play, placing him near the top of the leaderboard without much fanfare. Despite being the top-ranked golfer and defending champion, Scheffler quietly posted a 4-under 68, staying three shots behind the leader heading into Friday.
Keeping a clean scorecard at Augusta is no easy feat, but Scheffler managed to do just that, only needing to work hard for two pars throughout the round. He started strong with two birdies in his first four holes, including a remarkable 62-footer at the par-3 fourth. Despite missing some birdie opportunities, Scheffler continued his steady play, finishing with back-to-back tap-in pars and a solid par save from greenside bunkers on the 7th and 17th holes.
This consistent performance has been a hallmark of Scheffler’s game, as he has had three top-10 finishes on Tour this season and has rarely had a round over par in his last 21 outings. His success at Augusta National, with two green jackets and three other top-20 finishes, makes him a strong contender to repeat as champion.
While Scheffler may not have the flashy rounds of some of his competitors, his steady play puts him in a good position to contend for another title. With his nonchalant start, Scheffler has set himself up to gradually add birdies over the next few days, potentially putting him in contention on Sunday.