After a slow start to his round saw his three-shot lead to start the day turn to one, Scottie Scheffler needed a jolt to get his final round of the 2022 Masters going. On the third hole, he got it.
Scheffler’s approach shot missed the green and fell to the bottom of the slope that guards it. It looked like he might have a hard time getting up and down to save par. Scheffler didn’t do that. He did one better.
The Tournament leader chips in on No. 3. #themasters pic.twitter.com/ftP97jAvTr
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2022
The shot not only motivated Scheffler and the patrons around him but those watching from home.
Worked on my short game for about 2 hours this morning after watching Scheffler last couple of days. May have to throw another few hours at it. Ridiculous.
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) April 10, 2022
Scottie Scheffler just freaking jarred a ridiculous chip for birdie on 3. Live look at Scottie Scheffler: pic.twitter.com/ae6S8vPweD
— Brian Murphy (@knbrmurph) April 10, 2022
Holy helllll just give Scheffler the jacket already
— Rachel Bonnetta (@rachelbonnetta) April 10, 2022
Cam Smith might have the best short-game on Tour and Scheffler is out-short gaming him right now.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) April 10, 2022
Not sure Scheffler has put a good swing on a shot yet… and he’s 1 under! Extraordinary short game. 🔥
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) April 10, 2022
Any birdie is going to help on the scoreboard. But this almost couldn’t have possibly been better for Scheffler.
Scheffler’s start to the round had been rough. On the first three holes, he hit no fairways and only one green in regulation. While Scheffler had managed to save par on the first two holes, his playing partner, Cameron Smith, made birdie on both. As such, Scheffler’s three-shot lead to start the day had been trimmed to one.
But Smith made a poor approach shot on the third hole, as well, with his ball finishing next to Scheffler’s. And while Scheffler chipped in, Smith couldn’t get up and down, making bogey. With that, Scheffler’s three-shot lead was back. Scheffler then made par on the fourth hole while Smith made another bogey, moving the lead to four shots.
The chip-in didn’t win Scheffler the Masters. But if he goes on to win, it might prove to be his most important shot of the week.
