In Augusta, Georgia, Scottie Scheffler made the most of the warm and pleasant conditions at the Masters on Sunday, as he participated in a practice round at Augusta National with his mother, Diane. This comes ahead of the anticipated bad weather forecasted for the area.
The tournament organizers announced that, due to predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms, the patron gates would remain closed on Monday. With forecasts indicating over an inch of rain, the club decided to prioritize the safety of spectators and keep the course closed to the public.
Sunday presented an excellent opportunity for early arrivers to refine their skills before the year’s first major championship. With temperatures soaring into the low 80s and a breezy southwest wind, the course was in pristine condition despite losing some trees from the impact of Hurricane Helene last September.
Past Masters champions are traditionally encouraged to bring guests for a round, and Augusta members joined in between groups of tournament players. Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion and currently the highest-ranked player globally, took the chance to play with his mom. He aims to join the ranks of Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus by potentially winning consecutive Masters titles.
Despite a slow start to the year, partly due to recovery from surgery on his right hand — injured while using a wine glass to make ravioli during the Christmas period — Scheffler is still the top favorite for another green jacket according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Following him in odds is Rory McIlroy, ranked second globally and the only golfer aiming to complete a career Grand Slam.
Not all Sunday practice rounds came with such high stakes. Golf legend Tom Watson, who merely partakes in the ceremonial opening tee shot at the age of 75, played alongside 2004 champion Mike Weir and their guests. After making a long putt on the 18th green, Watson humorously exclaimed, “That’s four!”