Category: 2022 Masters

ESPN’s Curtis Strange, Andy North & Scott Van Pelt weigh in on Scottie Scheffler ‘crying like a baby’ ahead of winning the Masters

ESPN’s golf broadcast team reacts to Scott Scheffler admitting he ‘cried like a baby’ ahead of the final round of the Masters.

Scottie Scheffler’s victory at the Masters was a watershed moment for the 25-year-old Texan who reached World No. 1 in March. But perhaps the most memorable moment of the week happened away from the course before Scheffler reached the first tee on Sunday and it wasn’t disclosed until he shared it with the world during his winner’s press conference.

“I cried like a baby this morning,” he said. “I was so stressed out. I didn’t know what to do. I was sitting there telling (wife) Meredith, ‘I don’t think I’m ready for this. I’m not ready, I don’t feel like I’m ready for this kind of stuff, and I just felt overwhelmed.’ She told me, ‘Who are you to say that you are not ready? Who am I to say that I know what’s best for my life?’ And so what we talked about is that God is in control and that the Lord is leading me; and if today is my time, it’s my time. And if I shot 82 today, you know, somehow I was going to use it for His glory. Gosh, it was a long morning. It was long.”

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Scottie Scheffler celebrates with his wife Meredith Scudder after winning the Masters golf tournament. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

Scheffler went on to shoot 71 that afternoon and claim his first major. He’ll be one of the favorites at the 104th PGA Championship next week at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Speaking on a media conference call, ESPN analysts Curtis Strange and Andy North and ESPN lead anchor Scott Van Pelt discussed Scheffler’s brutal honesty and what it reveals about a player who seemed cool, calm and collected in ripping off his first four wins over a span of six starts.

“That’s an honesty we don’t get very often. That, to me, was shocking that anybody admitted that that’s where they were. In today’s world of mental health and people understanding how important maybe letting those feelings be known,” said North, who has served as ESPN’s main golf analyst for nearly 30 years. “I thought it was quite amazing, but initially it was a little bit shocking that, whoa, in the old days, no one would ever admit to that. But I think that’s the beauty of so many of the younger players and athletes and people who are focusing on how important it is to have serious discussions about how you feel.”

“My first reaction is wow, why would you say something like that?” Strange said. “I’m not going to say I ever cried in the morning and almost was overcome with emotion, but I spent a long time in the bathroom more than once. Is that the same difference?”

Strange broke into laughter.

“Why would you say that?” Van Pelt interjected. “You’ve got a problem with a guy sharing his emotions? You’re telling people that you were on a toilet? No one wants to hear that.”

More laughter ensued.

“I thought it was awesome, Curtis, because here’s a guy that he has such a maturity that belies his age, and his outward, what he projects is that nothing fazes him,” Van Pelt said. “But here he is on that morning, and I think it’s that epiphany, that holy bleep moment. I’m in the last group, and I’m No. 1 in the world, and I’m supposed to win. Well, what if I don’t? Or am I really ready to do all this?”

“He was in Butler Cabin on Friday night,” Van Pelt continued, “and I asked him, I said, ‘Look, when you won in Phoenix and you won in Bay Hill, match play is different, but you weren’t leading.’ There’s a weight that comes with leading. I said, ‘I’m not trying to sell you on it’s bad to be up five on Friday. Of course it’s not. But now there’s expectation, and everyone’s looking at you.’

“It seems like come Sunday morning that weight landed firmly in his lap. I thought it was just fantastic that he shared how heavy it was. Then how did he respond? There he was in the Green Jacket. I just thought it gave you context that a guy who hadn’t shared with us much that he felt those things, and here he shared it with the world. Maybe it’s easier to do that when you’re wearing the jacket because now you can be truly honest about it. I thought it was really cool.”

It was certainly a revelation no one saw coming from Scheffler.

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Masters champ Scottie Scheffler throws out the first pitch in Green Jacket

Masters champ Scottie Scheffler threw out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers while wearing the Green Jacket.

Scottie Scheffler and his new prized possession, the Green Jacket, are starting to make the rounds in his hometown of Dallas.

After skipping out on some of the typical post-major victory media tours in New York City and on The Late Show, Scheffler, who won the Masters on April 10, threw out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers home game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday — in the jacket no less and a nifty Masters tie to boot. (The pitch was better than most, but high and definitely a ball.)

And he’s not done on the local sporting circuit: a press release from the NHL’s Dallas Stars said that Scheffler will participate in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the team’s 2021-22 regular-season finale on Friday, April 29 against the Anaheim Ducks at American Airlines Center.

Scheffler, the World No. 1, played in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last week with partner Ryan Palmer. When asked during their press conference where he had taken the Green Jacket, he said he’d only had it at home.

“When my wife asks me to do stuff at home, sometimes I’ll grab it out of the closet and look at her, huh, really? It hasn’t worked yet,” he said. “Yeah, I’ve just had some fun with it at home. I haven’t really done anything special. I haven’t taken it out of the house. I think I’m the only one that can take the jacket off property. So I want to do a good job of representing Augusta National well, and I got to bring it back at the end of next year. Since I’m almost the representation of the Green Jacket outside of the club, I’m treating it with respect. I’m not going to do anything crazy with it.”

It’s a new week. The first pitch and dropping the puck? Those apparently are fine. And why stop there — Scheffler should totally announce the first round draft choice for the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night while wearing the Green Jacket. Perhaps the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks — who are on the road Thursday — can have Scheffler do the opening tip if their playoff series goes seven games with the Utah Jazz on Sunday. After all, it’s Texas, where you’ve got to go big or go home.

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Masters champ Scottie Scheffler on his congratulatory note from President Bush: ‘He’s got to do some work on his handwriting’

“Stuff like that is pretty cool. To have someone like that to reach out just to congratulate me is pretty special.”

Scottie Scheffler says becoming a Masters champion at age 25 is still just sinking in, but he’s experienced a few small perks along the way that have reminded him how cool it is to be the winner of the green jacket.

That included a handwritten letter from former U.S. President George W. Bush. Apparently 43’s handwriting was difficult for Scheffler to read.

“I hear he’s a good artist now. He’s got to do some work on his handwriting,” Scheffler said. “Stuff like that is pretty cool. To have someone like that to reach out just to congratulate me is pretty special. That’s probably kind of the only moments I’ve had where I kind of sit and reflect on what’s happened the past month and a half, two months. Obviously the Masters is such a different event than the rest of them. Just getting some messages like that from people I’ve looked up to for so long is really special.”

When Scheffler was asked to elaborate and name who sent some of the messages to him, he said, “I’m not really on social media. My wife has showed me a few things that people have posted, like Michael Phelps posted me in one of his stories, and then (Ezerkiel Elliott) from the Cowboys sent me a message. Just random stuff like that where I’m able to sit back – Michael Phelps is just insane. The guy is one of the greatest athletes ever. For him to reach out and post something about me or whatever is pretty cool.

“That’s kind of some of those moments where I’m able to sit back and kind of reflect on what happened and just be really grateful for it because stuff like that doesn’t come around too often. So it’s pretty special.”

Scheffler won the Masters on April 10, shooting a final-round 1-under 71, and beat Rory McIlroy by three strokes. In doing so, he became the fifth different world No. 1 player to leave Augusta National with a green jacket.

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Nick Faldo owns up to ‘rookie mistake’ that spoiled Rory McIlroy’s incredible bunker shot at the Masters

Nick Faldo just couldn’t help himself.

For most of the week, Scottie Scheffler looked poised to become a major champion. He was in complete control of his game and no player in the field could get close to him. Cameron Smith, after opening birdie-birdie on Sunday, was able to get within one shot. But the Texan’s lead was quickly restored after the Aussie made bogeys on Nos. 3 and 4.

As the day went on, Rory McIlroy began to make a charge. On the final hole, McIlroy’s drive found the fairway bunker. He then left his approach shot out to the right and found a greenside sandtrap. The result of his third shot, however, was ruined.

Nick Faldo just couldn’t help himself. McIlroy’s bunker shot was not shown live on CBS but the roar could be heard over the telecast. Faldo said he didn’t want to spoil the outcome but that “something incredible has just happened.”

The spectacular shot finished off a bogey-free 8-under 64 for the Northern Irishman, and at that moment, got him within three shots of the lead.

Faldo went on “The Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday and called the slipup a “rookie mistake.”

“I got caught up for that split second and I reacted. You’re right, I got it all wrong for a split second,” Faldo said.

McIlroy’s playing partner, Collin Morikawa, made his bunker shot for birdie from the same bunker just moments later. A series of events that will surely go into Masters history books.

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When it comes to the distance debate, the USGA and R&A have a friend in Augusta National

If Augusta opted not to implement the distance rules, it would be a potentially mortal blow to the debate.

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“You know Augusta National is going to be the real linchpin when it comes to distance, don’t you?”

I heard that sentence, or at least a version of it, several times during conversations with equipment makers after the U.S. Golf Association and R&A announced they wanted to explore new Model Local Rules that could reduce distance at the elite levels. Those two organizations want to potentially modify how they test golf balls too.

The USGA and the R&A are the governing bodies of golf. They make the rules, set the equipment standards and oversee the handicap system. They research the sustainability of soil and grasses, report on the environmental impacts of the game, study ways to improve the pace of play and host tournaments worldwide, including the U.S. Open and British Open.

But the Augusta National Golf Club will also play a critical role because its reach has expanded beyond Washington Road and Old Berckmans Road. These days, Augusta National awards invitations to the Masters to the Asian Pacific Amateur Championship and the Latin American Amateur Championship winners, so its influence is felt in those regions. It hosts the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, which has quickly become one of the most coveted amateur titles in golf and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on the Sunday before the start of the Masters.

The club is also home to the most influential course in the world. With all due respect to the Old Course at St. Andrews, the universally acknowledged home of golf in Scotland, the most influential course in the world is in Georgia. Since Dr. Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones transformed Fruitland Nurseries into a golf course that opened in 1932, it has been revered.

Only a privileged few get to play on the holy ground, but tens of millions of people see it every year on TV and think, “Now that is what a great golf course is supposed to look like.” The green fairways are lush and devoid of weeds, the edges of the bunkers are razor-sharp, the flowers explode in color, while the sand is pearly white. Even the new trees look like they have been there for generations.

When it comes to modifying the course and making sure it continues to challenge the game’s best players, whether that means adding length, adding or removing trees, or adjusting the position of fairway bunkers, no obstacle is too great. Augusta National has a state-of-the-art sub air system that can pull water down through the soil and pump it away to make fairways and greens drier, scores of lawnmowers to cut the grass and plenty of fertilizer is used to make the plants, bushes and trees vibrant. Unlike many golf facilities, money is not an issue at Augusta.

So, if there is one course in the world that could afford to keep up with the trend in distance, it’s Augusta National.

2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur - Final Round
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley speaks during the trophy presentation following the Augusta National Women’s Amateur golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

If the USGA and R&A decide to create Model Local Rules that allow tournaments to mandate players use distance-reducing equipment, they will put those rules into play at events they control, including the U.S. Open and British Open. It would then be up to the tournament committee at Augusta National to decide whether or not to implement the Model Local Rules at the Masters and the PGA of America to decide what to do at the PGA Championship.

If Augusta opted not to implement the distance-reducing Model Local Rules, it would be a potentially mortal blow to the distance debate. But, if you have listened to Augusta National’s chairman, Fred Ridley, over the last year, it sounds like that will not happen.

Before the start of the 2021 Masters, Ridley said, “We have had a long-standing position of supporting the governing bodies. I was very encouraged when I saw the areas of interest that were published by the USGA and R&A [in 2021].” He went on to add, “Growth of the game is a big issue, but our position would be to support the governing bodies, and then if there is no action taken, for whatever reason, then we need to look at other options with regard to our golf course and what we can do to continue to challenge these great golfers and maintain the design integrity that was initially adopted by Mr. Jones and Mr. MacKenzie.”

This year, after discussing the changes to the 11th and 15th holes, Ridley said, “We look forward to further discussions during the comment period this summer, as well as future recommendations and ultimately implementation.”

Ridley won a national championship while playing at the University of Florida in the early 1970s, won the 1975 U.S. Amateur (defeating Curtis Strange and Andy Bean), competed in five majors and played in the Walker Cup in 1977. He was heavily involved with the USGA, served as the USGA’s Championship Committee chairman, and was elected president of the USGA in 2004. People refer to him as “Chairman Ridley ” everywhere he goes around Augusta National Golf Club, but at the USGA offices, he’s Fred.

So, it’s safe to assume that if Augusta National Golf Club is going to play a role in the distance debate and the USGA and R&A decide to create Model Local Rules that could mandate golfers use distance-reducing equipment at an elite tournament, the Masters is going to adopt those Model Local Rules if Fred Ridley has a say in the matter. And as chairman, he’s got the biggest vote of them all.

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With a solid showing in his Masters debut, Harold Varner III’s continued rise is good for the future of golf

The 31-year-old Varner is quickly becoming one of the more likable players on the PGA Tour.

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We’re a few decades removed from the Foreigner’s heyday, the British-American rock band stringing together its share of hits during the late 1970s and much of the 1980s. Classic tunes such as “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” remain favorites among tribute bands and revelers at karaoke bars.

One can neither confirm or deny the presence of such song selections on any of Harold Varner III’s music playlists. But I doubt the Gastonia, N.C., native and PGA Tour pro would argue the vintage rock band’s “Feels Like the First Time” fit the occasion last weekend.

An opportunity he’d long pursued, Varner participated in his first Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club from April 7-10. The product of Forestview High, just outside Charlotte, finished 3-over for the tournament, tying for 23rd.

A realist, Varner had few expectations of capturing a hallowed green jacket on his first attempt. But if there’s anything local folks have learned about him through the years, the Gastonia talent has an endless well of confidence.

Despite it being his first walk of the famed golf course at a competitive level, Varner seemed right at home between the junipers, magnolias and pink dogwoods of Augusta National. Particularly in the first two rounds of play, shooting consecutive 71s to place him only a few shots back of eventual champion Scottie Scheffler. It also earned him a seat next to ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt for a brief interview after finishing play on Friday.

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Sergio Garcia watches as Harold Varner III hits his approach shot at no. 7 during the second round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Davis Tucker-Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY Sports

A rough Saturday ended those pursuits, the pristine Georgia golf course introducing Varner to its dark side. He finished the day 7-over par, and 6 over for the tournament. A strong showing (3-under 69) during the final 18 holes allowed him to settle at 3-over in his first Masters Tournament.

A brand ambassador for Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan’s line of golf clothing and shoes, Varner has long looked the part. Blessed with a charming smile and quick wit, the 31-year-old Varner is quickly becoming one of the more likable players on the PGA Tour. Some of that may lie in the fact he speaks from the heart, not afraid to let one know exactly where he stands on matters great and small.

However, it’s as refreshing to find an emerging superstar interested in others as much as their own individual pursuits. Long an advocate for the advancement of golf among youths and teens, the work of Varner’s HV3 Foundation is to bring awareness to the rising cost of entry and access to sports.

Two weeks before accomplishing a lifelong dream, the PGA Tour pro welcomed 156 high school golfers from throughout the Carolinas to Gaston County as part of the third annual HV3 Invitational. Originally expected not to be in town due to obligations at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Varner flew in for the final round and an opportunity to hand the trophy to the winner of the event bearing his name.

“Growing up I experienced those same challenges first hand,” Varner said in the foundation’s mission statement. “I was incredibly fortunate to be able to join a youth program at my local municipal course that allowed me to play unlimited golf for $100 a summer. That $100 was not easy to come by, but was worth scraping together due to the access it afforded.”

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Harold Varner III blows on his putter after finishing on No. 6 during the third round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran-Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY Sports)

I’ve always believed one only gets from this life what they pour into it. While his God-given ability has taken him around the world and back, Varner doesn’t allow himself to stray too far from that little boy spending countless hours on putting greens at the old Gastonia Municipal Golf Course.

In one weekend, the masses were introduced to Varner not as one in a select few Black golfers on the PGA Tour, but also one with the ability to compete week in and week out. And with it, the opportunity to be a blessing to others as shown throughout his professional career.

It’s been a steady brew for Varner, one full of trial, error and growth. Hopefully, that beautiful concoction eventually results in a Tour win for the Gastonia native.

But in the meantime, a hashtag and two words will have to do — #WeHere.

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Joe Hughes writes for the Gaston Gazette, part of the USA Today Network. You can reach Joe at 704-914-8138, email jhughes@gastongazette.com and follow on Twitter @JoeLHughesII.

Eight awesome Masters-themed accessories

One does not simply have enough Masters stuff.

A glorious weekend at the Masters has come and gone.

What can we do to pass the time while we wait another year for the return to Augusta National? We have eight glorious Masters-themed accessories to help you daydream about April 6, 2023.

During the past week we’ve helped you find some of the best Masters-themed apparel and gear which, in case you missed it, you can find here:

Masters-themed gear | Tiger Woods’ Nike apparel | Azalea Collection

As you continue to boost your wardrobe, this list should help you round out your newly christened green and yellow closet.

We occasionally recommend interesting products, services, and gaming opportunities. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Golfweek operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Masters: TV ratings surge for Sunday at Augusta National

Some might have wondered if viewers would stay away from network coverage. They didn’t.

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While some have pointed out that the Augusta National Golf Club could be making a lot more money off the Masters Tournament, one thing the club has always done well is to deliver high television ratings. Every year, the final round of the Masters typically rates as the most-watched single golf event of the season. With much of the drama taken away from the broadcast as Scottie Scheffler held the lead on the back nine Sunday and Cameron Smith hitting into the water on the 12th hole, some might have wondered if viewers would stay away from network coverage.

They didn’t.

According to CBS, the final round of the 2022 Masters was the most-watched golf telecast on any network since the fourth round of the 2019 Masters, when Tiger Woods famously won his fifth green jacket. An average of 10.173 million viewers, which is a seven percent increase over last year. The final hour of the telecast saw Scheffler, the No. 1 ranked player in the world, win his first career major. That is a seven percent increase over Sunday’s broadcast of the 2021 Masters.

At its peak, 13.16 million viewers were tuned in between 6:45 and 7 p.m. Eastern to see the final moments of the tournament.

To give those numbers some perspective, the final round of the 2021 PGA Championship, which featured a duel between Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka on the Ocean Course at Kiawah, was watched by 6.583 million viewers.

The week started with record-breaking viewership numbers for ESPN, the network that carried coverage on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. ESPN’s live telecast on Thursday averaged 2.8 million viewers, a 21 percent increase over last year. It was ESPN’s largest first-round audience since 2018. The following day for Friday’s second round, an average of 3.5 million viewers tuned in to ESPN to see if Tiger Woods would make the cut. That figure was a 31 percent increase from 2021’s second round of Masters coverage.

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Brennan: Rory McIlroy’s 18th hole bunker shot a fitting exclamation point to stellar Sunday at the Masters

McIlroy didn’t win the 2022 Masters, but he did provide the tournament with its most stunning shot.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy has won two PGA Championships, one U.S. Open and one British Open, but never the Masters. His best finish here had been fourth in 2015. But that was not his most notable Masters.

What he is best remembered for at Augusta National is his meltdown in 2011 as a 21-year-old, when he dropped from first place to a tie for 15th with a final round 80.

That memory now has company, pleasantly enough. McIlroy didn’t win the 2022 Masters, but he did provide the tournament with its most stunning shot, a magical sand wedge from a greenside bunker that trickled down the ridge of the 18th green and fell into the hole for a finishing birdie.

The unexpected theatrics gave McIlroy a bogey-free round of eight-under-par 64, matching the lowest final round in Masters history, and eventually ensured a second-place finish at seven-under, three strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world.

“The only person that beat me this week is the guy that’s currently the best golfer in the world,” McIlroy said, “so I’m on the right track and I’m doing the right things and it was just nice to feel that buzz in a major championship again. It’s been a while since I’ve felt that.”

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Rory McIlroy celebrates after holing out from a bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

On the 18th hole, McIlroy’s drive found a fairway bunker, then his second shot landed in a bunker to the right of the green.

Then came the third shot. When it disappeared into the cup, McIlroy tossed his club in delight, jumped, raised his arms, ran out of the bunker and hugged his caddie. The fans gathered around the 18th green leaped to their feet and roared as McIlory walked triumphantly on the green pumping his fist before reaching down to get his ball out of the hole and throw it into the crowd.

“That was incredible,” McIlroy said. “I’ve never heard roars like that on the 18th green. It was really cool.”

It was a fitting exclamation mark on a day that started with a birdie on the first hole and included an eagle on the par-5 13th.

“It’s what you dream about, right?” said McIlroy, 32. “You dream about getting yourself in position. I wasn’t quite close enough to the lead. Scottie is playing really, really well. To play as well as I did today and then to finish like this, I mean, it’s just absolutely incredible.”

McIlroy, who started the day at one-over, was finished an hour before Scheffler. He did several interviews, one before Scheffler was finished.

“I’ll probably come up a little bit short, but I gave it a great go, and I can’t ask any more of myself. I went out there today, shot my best-ever score at Augusta and it’s going to be my best finish ever.”

His joy was palpable. This was a wonderful moment for him, and he was soaking it all in.

“That,” he said, “is as happy as I’ve ever been on a golf course right there.”

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Golf fans crushed Nick Faldo for spoiling Rory McIlroy’s amazing birdie on 18 at the Masters

McIlroy made an incredible birdie on the 18th hole when he holed out from the greenside bunker. When he did that CBS was showing Cam Smith.

Nick Faldo has long been the main analyst for CBS Sports’ golf coverage, much to the dismay of many fans who rightfully complain about his work during just about every tournament he calls.

Well, he was calling the Masters this week and early Sunday evening he completely botched a huge moment for Rory McIlroy and the tournament when he basically spoiled what happened before the viewers could see it.

Here’s what happened: McIlroy made an incredible birdie on the 18th hole when he holed out from the greenside bunker. When he did that CBS was showing Cam Smith lining up a putt on 13. Faldo then started saying he couldn’t believe what he just saw (he and Jim Nantz are sitting in the tower behind the 18th green) and that it was a huge moment that is going to amaze people and be big for the tournament.

A few moments later CBS cut to McIlroy’s shot but we all knew what was going to happen because Faldo SPOILED it.

Here’s the shot:

Just a horrible, horrible job by Faldo.

Golf Twitter was furious, and rightfully so: