The Masters 2024 Final Round LIVE: Scottie Scheffler leads by THREE at Augusta as Max Homa and Ludvig Aberg slip back

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By Maya Cantina

The Masters 2024 Final Round LIVE: Scottie Scheffler leads by THREE at Augusta as Max Homa and Ludvig Aberg slip back

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Moment of silence for Aberg’s power bar, please

Ludvig Aberg before his power bar was knocked out of his hand: seven-under.

Ludvig Aberg after his power bar was knocked out of his hand: two-over.

I’m just saying

A fan accidentally knocks Ludvig Aberg's snack out of his hand as he walks between holes on final day at The Masters, April 14, 2024. Caption: Down a snack at the turn. #themasters
A fan accidentally knocks Ludvig Aberg's snack out of his hand as he walks between holes on final day at The Masters, April 14, 2024. Caption: Down a snack at the turn. #themasters

Homa’s hiccup

Ah, Golden Bell. The place where so many Masters dreams come to die. This year, it’s Max Homa’s funeral.

Masters Sunday and the adrenaline must be pumping bcause the American sends his tee shot at the par-three way too long into the bushes at the back of the green.

With no hope of playing it from where it lies, he spends an age dithering about with his caddie and an official over the drop.

When he finally comes to play it, he may as well have not bothered. He chickens out, too scared to give it any juice and risk zipping all the way back to Rae’s Creek.

It catches on the short fringe, he can’t knock in a long bogey putt and it’s a double to join his playing partner at five-under.

First Aberg, then Morikawa, now Homa.. it’s like no one wants the green jacket. Just hand it to Scottie now.

Scheffler drops one

Scheffler also drops a shot at 11. Surely he’s composure isn’t cracking. Not stone cold Scottie!

Maybe he was spooked by Morikawa’s splash becaus he bails out right – miles right – and his chip onto the dancefloor raceds too far by and he can’t rescue a par.

It’s a good job his competition is imploding too…

Morikawa double bogey

Morikawa lets out a cry of disgust at at the 11th and for good reason. He’s pulled it and there’s only one place that ball is landing on this hole – the watery depths of the pond.

The two-time major winner plays a decent enough chip after his drop from the water to give himself a chance at limiting the damage to a bogey but then blasts a putt through the break and is left with a second putt for the double.

He’s gone from a tie for the lead to five shots back. How the mighty have fallen.

Amen Corner Aberg’s downfall?

Is Amen Corner where Aberg’s Augusta charge ends?

The Swede’s approach at the 11th fnds a watery grave after straying left. He takes a drop and is faced with a serious repair job.

He finds the dancefloor with his fourth but is facing a long putt back just to limit the damage to just one shot.

He can’t manage it as his bogey putt from 20 feet or so touches the left edge of the cup but doesn’t drop.It’s a double bogey that sees him fall four back of Scheffler.

And I think that’s the first time a glimpse of dismay has cracked through his composed demeanor at Augusta.

McIlroy signs off with a 73

McIlroy signs off with a 73, seeing him finish four-over for the tournament.

The quest for golf’s Grand Slam continues.

At least it looks like he managed to have a couple of laughs with his LIV Golf rebel playing partner, Niemann.

Isn’t that nice? The Masters, bringing people together since 1934.

Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 14, 2024 Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy with Chile's Joaquin Niemann on the green on the 18th hole after completing their final round REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (L) and Joaquin Niemann of Chile meet on the 18th green after finishing their round during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Joaquin Niemann of Chile (L) and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland shake hands on the 18th green after finishing their round during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Red-hot Scottie pulls further ahead

Scheffler stiffs in a stunning iron shot at the 10th and rewards by tickling his effort down the slope with just enough to bury it for birdie.

The Wold No. 1 is now two ahead and did we really expect anything else?

Feels like the only thing that could stop him now is an official racing onto the course to tell him Mrs Scheffler has gone into labor.

Fleetwood makes another birdie

Oh, Tommy Fleetwood, you beauty!

He finds bridie as he swirls a peach of a long range eagle putt to tap-in range.

The Englishman is solo fifth at four-under. Fancy a late charge, Tommy? You might have to pick up the pace because Scheffler has just extended his lead. Again.

One shot off the lead but one snack down

Ludvig Aberg was enjoying the high fives from the patrons so much it cost him a snack…

Hatton stumbles at the finishing line

Earlier, I asked if Hatton could navigate the challenge of the closing stretch. We now have an answer: No.

He can’t avoid trouble on 17 and 18 and finished with back-to-back bogeys.

The Englishman is in the clubhouse in a tie for 11th at even-par but I’ll bet his good old temper is flaring, knowing it could have been so much better.

Reminder – Top 12 and ties get an invite to next year’s Masters, which Hatton may very well need following his LIV defection.

Scottie is sizzling

He’s just inevitable, isn’t he?

Scheffler edges ahead again with a Scottie Special.

He comes within inches of holing out for a two from the fairway on nine, as he fizzes in an iron shot, hops and spins back down the hill

It tracks and tracks and tracks, looking bang on line the whole way down before ultimately just rolling away to the left. Just teasing us.

It’s the most straight forward he’ll likely ever have for birdie.

But Aberg finds himself in solo second after a double bogey for Morikawa puts a dent in his card.

Within a matter of 15 minutes the leaderboard is switched up once again…

-8 S Scheffler,

-7 L Aberg

-5 C Morikawa

-3 T Fleetwood, B DeChambeau

-2 C Smith, X Schauffele

-1 T Hatton, C Davis, N Hojgaard

Three-way tie at the top!

Aberg isn’t letting Morikawa and Scheffler get away that easily!

The Swede keeps pace with a birdie of his own at the ninth, draining a lengthy putt for a three-way tie at the top.

He has a huge grin on his face as he high-fives the patrons on his way to the tenth tee. And can you blame him?

This time last year he was playing the Thunderbord Collegiate. Now, he’s in a share of the lead at The Masters with nine holes to play. Unbelievable.

Latest leaderboard

-7 S Scheffler, C Morikawa

-6 L Aberg, M Homa

-3 T Fleetwood, B DeChambeau

-2 C Smith, X Schauffele

-1 T Hatton, C Davis, N Hojgaard

epaselect epa11278829 Hideki Matsuyama of Japan standing underneath the leaderboard on the 3rd green during the final round of the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, 14 April 2024. The Augusta National Golf Club is holding the Masters Tournament from 11 April through 14 April 2024. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

Scheffler and Morikawa pull clear

Spoke to soon. Never write off Scheffler.

He storms back into the solo lead at the par-five eighth… for a matter of seconds.

His playing partner Morikawa keeps pace with a birdie of his own. The duo pull a shot clear of Aberg and Homa in the group in front.

Homa joins the pack

And now Homa joins the party!

I honestly thought Scheffler would run away with it and we’d just be waiting for him to play out the back nine knowing he was already the winner but the golf gods have delivered.

Masters Sunday is turning into a spectatcular with a four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.

After a bogey at the seventh, Homa bounces back to six-under at the next.

He sees his long-range eagle putt track left but is still close enough for a tap in birdie and a share of the lead.

Just how DO you say, Aberg?

With the Swede co-leading, now might be a good time to learn how to actually say his name… you know just in case Fred Ridley’s having to say it a little later today.

But don’t worry, Fred, even his Ryder Cup teammates struggled.

Scheffler forced to share

Scheffler gives up his solo lead with a bogey at the par-four seventh.

His tee shot is errant and the ball smacks into the a trunk of one of those grand old trees, sending it scuttling across the fairway and into the rough on the left.

He’s blocked out by branches from going for the green so has to bunt a shot which ends up sandy and his shortgame can’t save him this time.

He splashes out of the sand and two putts for the bogey.

He drops to six-under and shares the lead with playing partner Morikawa and Aberg.

No rookie nerves for Aberg

Ice cold from Aberg! The Scandinavian has nerves of steel I tell you, Nerves. of. steel.

The Swede stiffs his iron into three feet on the seventh and drains his birdie putt.

He’s six-under and in a share of second.

This man has never played a major before. NEVER.

Tiger Woods hints at an end to bitter PGA-LIV Golf feud after finishing up at the Masters – following his round with Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan: ‘We’re headed in the right direction’

Tiger Woods believes peace has moved closer in the war that has shaken golf to its core.

The five-times Masters champ played a round with LIV kingpin Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas and, after completing a record-breaking week at Augusta, disclosed that an end to the explosive dispute may be in sight.

Woods, viewed as a key figure in finding a resolution between the PGA and the Saud-backed breakaway tour, was asked how the March meeting, held at his residence, had gone.

‘I don’t know if we’re closer,’ he said, ‘but certainly we’re headed in the right direction’.

READ MORE FROM MAIL SPORT’S MIKE KEEGAN BELOW…

Completely normal sport…

What on earth is going on here?

Cam Smith is playing a golf shot on his hands and knees.

The 2022 Open champion has gone wandering into the trees after after drilling his tee shot deep into the foliage. He finds his ball but let’s just

say it doesn’t seem like the easiest lie…

Even Ludvig seems a little shocked by his own skill

The usual cool and composed Swede hilariously looked stunned the he made his 11-foot putt for par at the par-three sixth.

He had sent his first putt racing past the hole but kept it together to nail the second. Atta boy Aberg.

Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 14, 2024 Sweden's Ludvig Aberg reacts after holing his par putt on the green on the 6th hole during the final round REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Hatton emerges out of nowhere

Oh, hello! Where on esrth has Tyrrell Hatton come from?

The Englishman is flying – and performing way better than his LIV captain and reigning champion Jon Rahm FYI – with five birdies today.

He has the chance to make it three in a row with a five-foot birdie putt at the 14th but it wanders just right of the cup.

Tap-in for par though and Hatton sits in a share of seventh at two-under.

Can he handle the challenge upcoming final strecth?

Schauffele suffers two straight blemishes

Schauffele is leaking shots all over the greens now with back-to-back bogeys at the fifth and sixth.

At the par three, he has seven feet to avoid dropping a shot but once again he’s off line. Another shot gone.

After thinking he’s be on to watch today, the Olympic champion drops to one-under – six back of Scheffler.

Scheffler hands one back

Well, Scheffler’s two-shot lead lasted long…

The 2022 champio’s lead is cut back to one after a blemish on his card at the fourth.

He fired over the back of the green with his tee shot and comes up well short with his chip on, leaving himself with work to do.

His 12 footer edges away to the right and although a narrow miss it’s a shot gone.

Scottie gets up and close with the patrons at the back of the second…

Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 14, 2024 Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. moves a chair positioned over his ball before he chips onto the green on the 2nd hole during the final round REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Bryson goes back-to-back

Welcome back to the party, Bryson!

He backs up his birdie at four with another at the fifth and just like that he’s claimed his two dropped shots back and is back in the race.

He thwacks his tee shot 328 yards, giving himself a great look inat the green round the corner.

But he doesn’t seize upon the setup at first leaving himself in exile out on the fringe and putting from 32 feet.

Scheffler stretches the lead

It’s not been the prettiest of starts for Scheffler but you know how the saying goes, there’s no pictures on a scorecard.

The Texan scrambles his way further into the lead, extending it to two shots over Morikawa and Homa with a birdie at the third.

He shows of his sand skills, as he sticks a difficult shot close enough to roll in for a birdie and get to eight under.

Fleetwood flies up the leaderboard

Fleetwood has announced himself as a contender in the race.

He dials in a wedge from 100 yards and leaves himself five feet for birdie at the seventh.

Can he convert? Oh yes he can! Birkdale’s finest jumps into a share of fifth at three-under.

Never too late to make a charge, Tommy.

Latest leaderboard

Scheffler managed to hole his putt for the par save at the second and protects his narrow lead.

But after a blockbuster start for our late pairings, no one will blame you for not being able to keep up with the scores. So, here’s a little reminder…

-7 S Scheffler

-6 C Morikawa, M Homa

-5 L Aberg

-3 X Schauffele T Fleetwood

-2 C Smith, B DeChambeau

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: A general view of the leaderboard as Scottie Scheffler of the United States warms up on the practice area during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Rollercoaster for DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau was heading in the wrong direction after another bogey at the third.

His chip from 25 yards was horrible and rolls back off the shoulder of the green, finishing behind him. We’ve all been there Bryson… just not in the final round of The Masters with a shot at the Green Jacket on the line.

However, he pulls one of his dropped shots back with a terrific tee shot on the fourth and tidies away a birdie from distance.

He puffs out his cheeks in relief. Much needed.

Scheffler in trouble

Scheffler unusually finds himself in a spot of bother.

At the second, he fires long over the green and into the patrons. He left with an extremely testy chip back down the sloping green for his fourth shot.

He barely nudges it on and it races over the surface. This really needs to pump the brakes otherwise he’ll be left with another chip back from the other side. It does eventually come to a stop and thankfully for him it’s still on the dancefloor.

He’s got a tricky little putt for par though.

Homa heats up

Homa, Aberg’s playing partner, is not to be outdone as he grabs a birdie of his own.

The American’s 34-hole wait for a birdie comes to an end as he taps in at the second.

He receives a huge hand from the patrons following this pariring and would be an extremely popular winner at Augusta, if he can dethrone Scottie.

Aberg moves on up

After absolutely nailing his tee shot some 376-yards on the second, a slightly loose approach from Aberg drifts well left and misses the green.

His chip on leaves him with 22 feet for the birdie but it’s no issue for the Swede, who rolls the putt in and moves to five under par.

Showing off that Swedish ice-cool composure. Can you believe this is his first major??

Hatton enjoys the fairer conditions

Tyrrell Hatton is having himself a tidy little round.

The Englishman, who was paired with Tiger Woods yesterday, has pulled himself level with a round of three-under today with the latest of his three birdies coming at the 10th.

Hojgaard bounces back

The young Dane is showing some grit as he brushes off the double at the first with back-to-back birdies.

He picks up a shot at the par-five second before driving the green at the third, but it’s almost too good as it rolls off the back leaving him with a shortgame test.

He produces a nice enough chip from a tough spot at the third and manages to knock in a tricky putt to pick up successive birdies. Clearly just wants to keep us on our toes.

And just like that he’s back in it.

Schauffele picks up a shot at the second

Schauffele continues his quiet charge as he birdies the second after an eagle try is slightly off target. He moves up to join Cam Smith at three-under.

DeChambeau look sto claw back the shot he dropped at the first as he also sets himself up with a good luck at birdie. But ooff, he misses it. Got to be putting those ones away if you want a green jacket!

Pars all round for Homa and Aberg

Homa and Aberg are safely through the first with a pair of pars.

The American was left with a tricky shot into the green after his drive found the cut of rough on the left of the fairway and his view looked to be impeded by an overhanging branch.

But it’s no issue as he aims well right and draws his ball right back in, landing lands it on the heart of the dance floor to set up a birdie chance.

He’s left frustrated however when he can’t convert and is forced to settle for par.

Aberg is also slap bang in the middle of the dancefloor with a birdie chance but his putt rolls off left, leaving him with a tap in for par.

Hojgaard out of position… just a bit

If you’re wondering how Hojgaard made double bogey at the first, just have a look…

A picture speaks a thousand words and all that.

Bryson begins with a bogey

Bogey start for Bryson as he’s forced to pay for two poor shots as he’s left in a tricky position behind the green.

His third shot from behind the dancefloor shooting a long way past the pin and the American two-putting from there.

Schauffele has no such issues however, and slots away his par putt.

Fore, please! Now driving, your Masters leader!

Scottie Scheffler begins his quest for a second green jacket alongside Collin Morikawa.

Scheffler, leading by one, slides a power fade down into the middle of the fairway, and not to be outdone Morikawa steps up and produces something similar.

With the final pairing off the mark, here’s a little reminder that 28 of the last 33 Masters champions have come from the final group.

Cam Smith makes a move

Cam Smith claimed that he was still in the tournament following yesterday’s round. Well, he’s definitely dragged himself further into contention at the second.

He holes out from the sand for an eagle and jumps to three-under.

Nightmare for Nicolai

Hojgaard suffers a double bogey disaster at the first. The Dane is not reacting well to his bogey run yesterday as he continues it on into today’s round…

A snap hook off the first tee ended up costing him a six – and any feint hopes he had may have disappeared already.

The big guns are out

Bryson DeChambeau gets his round underway with a big looping drive that ends up out right.

Meanwhile, playing partner – and dark horse – Xander Schauffele whips his tee shot down the middle of the fairway.

Can either of them present a challenge to Scheffler?

Fleetwood fires up

Fleetwood has liftoff!

The Englishman makes the perfect start to his Masters Sunday. He couldn’t sink a putt to save his life yesterday but starts today by draining an monster.

Hi splaying partner needs to find the cup from seven feet for par and duly does.

Woods COMMITS to all three remaining majors

Despite a turbulent Masters tournament, Woods’ drive shows no sign of relenting.

Speaking after his final round, teh legend confirms that he intends to play all three of the remaining majors.

I got to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst, Valhalla, and Troon… got to get up there early and check them out.

Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - April 14, 2024 Tiger Woods of the U.S. acknowledges the crowd on the green on the 18th hole after completing his final round REUTERS/Mike Blake

Tom Kim goes on a rampage

Augusta is playing a lot easier than yesterday and Tom Kim has full taken advantage.

The rising star has drawn blood out of Augusta, carding eight birdies for a six-under round of 66, clawing himself up to five-over.

The leaders will be licking their lips as they wait to head out.

Rahm holes out for birdie

Rahm proves he’s still got a trick or two up his sleeve with a moment of magiv at the par-four seventh, holing one from the fairway for birdie!

He moves to three-over for the tournament but his playing partner is going the other way. Finau makes two straight bogeys to drop to six-over.

Willett falters

2016 champion Danny Willett made such a promising start with a chip-in bridie at the first.

But all that work has been rapidly undone with three consecutive birdies at the third, fourth and fifth.

The blemishes see the Englishman drop to five-over for the tournament.

But if you’d told him last Sunday that he would have made the cut and be playing the final round of The Masters, he definitely would have taken it – because he still hadn’t decided if he would tee it up at the tournament.

Willett underwent shoulder surgery back in September and is ahead od schedule for his recovery.

Shipley finishes with a 73

Shipley finishes with a bogey to cards a final round of 73 after an errant tee shot found the trees to the right of the 18th fairway.

The amateur put on an impressive display today, especially on the greens, and to do it alongside the legend that is Tiger Woods is something else.

It’s a round he’ll never forget.

He’ll be sticking around as he’s got an appointment in Butler Captain later today.

Tiger Woods shakes hand with Neal Shipley after their final round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Neal Shipley, left, and Tiger Woods lines up their putts on the 16th hole during final round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger finishes his 100th round of The Masters

To say it has looked tough for Tiger out there over the past four days would be an understatement. He has had to battle hard but he completed all four rounds.

He comes close to finishing with a birdie as he chips on to the 18th green but settles for a tap-in par.

The five-time winner cards a five-over 77 on Sunday to finish at 16-over.

Yet, despite sitting at the bottom of the field, the patrons greet him as if he was atop the leaderboard. No one else would receive that reception. He’s still special.

McIlroy butchers eagle chance

McIlroy looks to imemdaitely bounce back from his opening bogey as he sets himself up with an eagle chance at the second.

But he unbelievably THREE PUTTS. What. A. Waste.

Heartwarming moment between two legends

Woods takes a moment to shake hands and say goodbye to Verne Lundquist, who is calling his last Masters, as he walks off the 16th green.

Lundquist delivered one of the most iconic bits of commentary with his call of Woods’ chip-in at the 16th at the 2005 Masters.

McIlroy bogeys the first

Lowry’s pal McIlroy is equally having a tough time of it opening his round with bogey.

After a beauty of a tee shot, he looks to have found the green in two but takes a very unlucky bounce that chucks his ball off the putting surface and leaves him in a tricky position.

He ends up two putting after chipping back on and drops to four-over.

What did he do to deserve so much bad karma at Augusta National?

You have to feel that’s officially ruled him out of the Green Jacket for yet another year.

Shocker for Shane

Shane Lowry is having an absolute shocker.

The Irishman has made four straight bogeys on the front nine to rocket up to ten-over.

A far cry from his stunning eagle yesterday.

Max Homa eyes his first major victory

Homa heads out in the penultimate pairing at 2:25pm ET/7:25pm BST, two shots off Scheffler’s lead.

And the American has the right mentality….

Woods drops another at 15

Woods has left himself with work to do to make par at 15 after leaving a little to much on his approach shot into the green.

And he leaves his par putt short – just like every putt this week. He’s just never gotten the pace of these greens.

Shipley is also long into the green but is able to recover and make birdie though with fine putt from 34 feet, moving back to 11 over

Rory McIlroy tees off

Another year and another Masters disappointment for Rory McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman looks set to leave Augusta National frustrated once again as he starts his final round at three-over and ten shhots back of the lead.

He’ll look to get himself up onto the first page of the leaderboard with a surge today.

He finds the first fairway as he tees off alongside Joaquin Niemann, who sends his tee shot into the first cut of rough.

PGA Tour’s top loyalist and LIV Golf’s current hotshot? Oh this could be juicy…

Tom Kim makes a charge

Everyone’s favorite Tom Kim is havinga run at it!

Kim, one of the most likeable guys on the Tour, is five-under for the day and is on a roll.

The Korean has birdied five of his last six holes, picking up shots at seven, nine, 10, 11 and 12 to drag himself up to six over for the tournament.

What happened at eight, Tom?

Shipley drops a shot at 13

Tiger has the chance to claw one back at the 13th with a birdie putt from around 14 feet.

He looks to have the right read but it pulls up just short. One more roll and it would have like curled into the hole. Story of his putting this week.

Meanwhile, playing partner Shipley’s display on the greens today has been nothing short of impressive but it abandons him at 13.

He tries to arc an eagle chance round but seems to have started it too far out and leaves it around eight feet high of the cup.

The amateur can’t sink the birdie putt either but worse yet, he can’t find the hole for par either. He drops a shot and is back to even for the day.

Rahm hands one back

Looks like Rahm’s opening birdie isn’t going to spark a charge…

The Spaniard immediately hands one back at the second, having found the fairway bunker off the tee. You could hear him willing the tee shot on, desperate for it to clear the sand but the golf gods didn’t hear his prayers.

It was always going to be tough to make a birdie from there, but he can’r even make par either.

His third comes in a little too hot and skirts off the edge of the dancefloor into the fringem he can’t get up and down in two and it’s back to even for the day for the defending champion.

Sure, Greg, sureeeee

And the Didn’t Happen of the Year Award goes to… Greg Norman!

LIV Golf’s commander-in-chief barged his way into Augusta this week, buying his own ticket after allegedly being banned.

And he claims that, despite his persona non grata status among golf’s chiefs, ‘thousands’ of patrons flocked to him to show him love.

Stop gaslighting us, Greg. No one is buying it.

The hundreds if not thousands of people, from the drivers, to the parking lot attendants, security guards, the servers in the concession stands (yes had my first Ham Cheese sandwich and Peach ice cream sandwich :-)), the guys who controlled the gallery cross walks, but most importantly to the patrons of @themasters thank you for your unanimous support.

It was humbling, moving and I was taken back by your words of encouragement – “thank you for what you have done for golf” “don’t stop” “Love LIV” and the one that got to me personally and emotionally “welcome back.”

My right hand is sore from shaking hands with each and every one of you as well as the hugs given to so many.

Woods and Shipley navigate Golden Bell

Shipley isn’t hanging about as he steps up and fires off his tee shot at the infamous 12th.

It catches the rough at the back of the green. Not perfect but not in danger either. He takes out the flack stick and rolls it onto the green befor finishing off the par with a curling seven-footer.

This kid’s putting has been something else today. Cracking par save.

Woods takes a more calculating approach and pitches his ball just past the bunker to set him up nicely.

Rahm opens with a birdie

Rahm can indeed make things interesting as he opens his round with a birdie.

Both he and Finau fire off stunning drives at the first and their seconds aren’t too shabby either.

Finau puts a tad too much backspin on his which sees it roll a little short, scuppering his effort for birdie but he’ll take the par.

Rahm fires in a dart of a seond, stiffing it to six feet before sinking the birdie putt to move to four-over.

The thought of having to slip a green jacket on to someone else’s shoulders must really be grating on him.

Day finally nails the fashion

It’s the most subdued look of the week for Jason Day, and that’s probably why it’s the best.

The Australian has donned some bold outfits from Malbon, featuring some baggy trousers and a sweater vest ANGC did not approve of.

And after being asked to remove the sweater by organizers on Friday, Day is flying more under the radar for the final round.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Jason Day of Australia plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Jason Day of Australia lines up a shot on the second hole during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Jason Day of Australia plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Defending champion Rahm heads out

Jon Rahm is far from the position he was in this time last year as he begins the final round of his title defense 12 shots back of Scheffler.

The Spaniard tees off alongside good friend Tony Finau. They’re both well out of contention at five-over but can they make a few birdies to keep things interesting?

Woods goes out in four-over

Tiger reaches the turn following another par save at the ninth for a four-over first nine.

Shipley makes light work of the par-four too as he sets himself up nicely to make par, putting him one under for the round at the halfway point and still 10 over for the tournament.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States walks across the fifth hole during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States and caddie Lance Bennett line up a shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Min Woo Lee makes eagle

The second is handing out eagles today. Min Woo Lee becomes the latest to slash his score at the par-five today.

He produces a stunning drive, lofts it onto the green and then holes out from 10 feet.

The eagle sees him cut his score to five-over.

Birdie for Shipley

Shipley is on a roll now. He backs up his birdie at seven with another on eight.

He has the chance of making an eagle. It’s not an easy putt but he plays it beautifully with the knowledge of an Augusta exoert.

He eases it close nicely to set up a tap-in for a birdie to take himself to 10-over for the tournament.

Despite being wayward off the tee again, Woods has a birdie chance of his own but it just rolls round before it can reach the hole. Par for Woods and he stays at 15-over.

The woes continue for Woods

Shipley holes out for a birdie and that trims his tournament total to 11 over and brings him back level for the round at the seventh, while Woods stops the bleeding slightly with a par.

Onto the eighth and the bleeding looks to be flowing again as he hits a huge slice off the tee.

We were all Scottie yesterday…

Scheffler’s reaction to DeChambeau’s hole out on 18 yesterday may have been better than the hole out itself.

Also probably the same reaction he’ll have when he spots 12 missed calls from pregnant wife, Meredith.

More trouble for Tiger

Woods misses the green at the par-three sixth, coming up short, and you can feel the shots slipping away from him now.

He looks to have rescued the hole by playing a stunning chip on to within three feet but wastes it by failing to convert the par save, knocking it four feet past the hole.

Another bogey.

Eagle lands for Kitayama!

Kurt makes the most of the par-five second, splashing out of the bunker and into the sand for Eagle!

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 13: Kurt Kitayama of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the third round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Triple for Tiger

Tiger’s trip into the trees has proven very costly indeed.

After heading back to the tee to play his third, Woods can’t limit the damage as he misses a putt with his sixth shot of the hole and ends up carding a triple-bogey.

He drops to 14-over. That’s gotta hurt.

Dream week for Neal Shipley

Low amatuer, Masters Sunday with Tiger Woods AND Waffle House?!

Neal Shipley is having himself a WEEK.

While Woods is taking his detour around the fifth, the amateur saves par.

Woods takes a trip to the woods

If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise… because Tiger Woods is there.

Woods ends up deep in the trees to the right of the fairway off the fifth tee. It’s found inbounds but he has to call an unplayable. Obviously.

But – and bear with me here – there’s nowhere for him to take the drop within the two club length distance. So, and despite playing a perfectly safe provisional, Woods has to allllll the way back to the tee and take another drive (his third of the hole!).

Still following? I’m sorry but I don’t make the rules. Golf.

Wonder who they’re all here for…

Masters Sunday at Augusta National is of course the hottest ticket in town and any golf fan would die happy just having seen a single shot of the tournament.

But there’s no doubt who the most popular grouping out on the course is right now.

I think every patron has their eyes glued to a man called Tiger Woods.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States and amateur Neal Shipley of the United States walk to the second green during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Bryson on THAT finish

Bryson DeChambeau finished with a bang yesterday, holing out for birdie at the 18th.

It clawed him back into contention after his putting cost him a few bogeys on the back nine.

‘I just figured was easier than putting,’ he joked.

But I can’t help but ask, could he not have waited until after the interview to eat?

Don’t talk with your mouth full, Bryson.

Bogey for Tiger

All his great work at the second is swift undone at the third…

Woods hits his tee shot to within 30 yards of the green at the par-four third but walks off with a bogey after a chipping nightmare.

His first chip attempt doesn’t make it to the green and comes trundling all the way back down to his feet. Take Two.

His next attempt scares the hole, leaving him with around ten feet for par, which he leaves short. Bogey.

It’s a bogey for Shipley too after he has to chip on from the back of the green.

Another old master is about to tee off: Two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal.

At 58 those victories, in 1994 and 1999, may well feel like a long time ago. These days, simply avoiding the cut represents success for a veteran who has played just two professional events since 2022.

While younger men, including 2015 winner Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland have already stepped on their private jets, Olazabal remains here for the weekend, albeit by the barest of margins.

CLICK ABOVE TO READ MORE FROM MAIL SPORT’S MIKE KEEGAN

Birdies for Woods and Shipley

We’ve already heard more roars around Augusta this morning than all of Saturday’s moving day.

Shipley’s approach at the second comes up short and finds the front bunker but the amateur recovers in sensational fashion. He splashes out and it almost goes straight in for eagle but instead leaves a tap-in birdie.I think even Tiger was willing that one in.

Tiger splits the middle of the second fairway and fires a lovely iron into the green with his second, giving him a 24-foot look at eagle.

It runs out of speed but he holes out for the birdie.

Meanwhile, more cheers echo around the course with Jake Knapp holing out at the third.

The stage is set

This patron isn’t taking any chances.

Getting a front row seat for the greatest show in golf is no easy feat. It takes time and a whole lot of patience.

Running is forbidden at Augusta National, so you can bet that this man walked like he’s never walked before to get that spot.

Steady start for Tiger

The Big Cat goes too big with his approach into the first green. The ball finds the dancefloor but keeps rolling and slips of the back left edge.

It comes to rest in a similar spot to the location of Scheffler’s sensational chip-in yesterday. Tiger can’t quite replicate the leader’s magic but he comes close.

He gifts the patrons of Augusta with a beautiful up and down for par.

Shipley isn’t as lucky as he misses a close-range putt for par and walks off with a nervy bogey.

Will Scottie stick around?

Scottie Scheffler will head into the funal round of The Masters with a slim one-shot lead later this afternoon but will he stick around for a victory?

The American doubled down on his claim that he would drop his club mid-swing if his pregnant wife went into labor.

I’m sticking to my word, you only have your first child once.

Aka, ‘I’ll win plenty of more masters, only having a kid once’. Fair.

Tiger Time

The Big Cat gets his 100th round at The Masters underway!

It’s Neal Shipley off first. Teeing off on his first Masters Sunday in front of one of the sport’s legends, bet he’s never been that nervous standing over a golf ball before.

His opening tee shot of the day drifts right and into the fairway bunker.

Up steps Tiger, who stripes it down the middle of the fairway. He’s off!

Coach Charlie?

Tiger has been out on the range with son Charlie watching on…

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States and his son Charlie Woods depart the practice area in a cart during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States warms up in the practice area as his caddie Lance Bennett and son Charlie Woods looks on during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States warms up in the practice area as his caddie Lance Bennett and son Charlie Woods looks on during the final round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

First group underway

It’s another former champion, Vijay Singh, out first.

He and Adam Hadwin get the 88th Masters Sunday underway. The pair are both at 14-over for the tournament, so hardly a threat to Scottie Scheffler but they’re out on Augusta National on a beautiful Sunday, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.

9:15am ET/2:15pm BST- Adam Hadwin, Vijay Singh

9:35am ET/2:35pm BST – Neal Shipley (a), Tiger Woods

11:05am ET/ 4:05pm BST – Corey Conners, Brooks Koepka

11:15am ET/4:15pm BST – Phil Mickelson, Shane Lowry

11:45am ET/4:45pm BST – Jon Rahm, Tony Finau

12:25pm ET/5:25pm BST – Danny Willett, Adam Scott

12:35pm ET/5:35pm BST – Will Zalatoris, Tyrrell Hatton

12:45pm ET/5:45pm BST – Rory McIlroy, Joaquin Niemann

12:55pm ET/5:55pm BST – Matthieu Pavon, Sepp Straka

1:05pm ET/6:05pm BST – Matt Fitzpatrick, Patrick Reed

1:15pm ET/6:15pm BST – Adam Schenk, Chris Kirk

1:25pm ET/6:25pm BST – Patrick Cantlay, Lucas Glover

1:45pm ET/6:45pm BST – Cameron Young, Tommy Fleetwood

1:55pm ET/6:55pm BST – Byeong Hun An, Cameron Smith

2:05pm ET/7:05pm BST – Cameron Davis, Nicolai Hojgaard

2:15pm ET/7:15pm BST – Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele

2:25pm ET/7:25pm BST – Max Homa, Ludvig Åberg

2:35pm ET/7:35pm BST – Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa

20 minutes to Tiger

Speaking of Tiger, today marks the legend’s 100TH round at The Masters. There are members of ANGC who probably haven’t played that many…

And he’s playing it alongside Neal Shipley, the only amateur to survive the brutality of Augusta this week and make it to the weekend.

Shipley will walk up the 18th fairway Sunday evening with low amateur honors locked up and he’ll do it alongside one of the greatest to ever win a green jacket.

What a way to play out your Masters debut. Soak it in, Neal.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 09: Neal Shipley of The United States plays a shot during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Sun Day Red

We’re seeing Tiger Woods in Sun Day Red at The Masters for the first time.

Here’s the script…

It’s a packed leaderboard…

And who doesn’t like to see a top section of the leaderboard nice and bunched up on the last day at the Masters?

Scottie Scheffler leads by one at -7 and has looked imperious all tournament. But as we all know, it only takes this course to show its teeth once, and everything changes.

Collin Morikawa is a shot back and Max Homa, who played his first two rounds alongside Tiger, trails by just two.

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg trails by three at four-under and Bryson DeChambeau, in fifth, is at -3. Only 12 players will start the final round under par.

Apr 13, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Scottie Scheffler tees off on No. 18 during the third round of the Masters Tournament. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network

Pin positions for day four

Have a look at No 13… let’s just say that green jacket will definitely be earned today.

Welcome!

The Masters, Day Four, is here. One of the finest days on the entire sporting calendar.

It’s all quiet out on the Augusta course at present, but the first tee time is a little over 30 minutes away and from there, Mail Sport will cover every dramatic twist and turn.

But before our leader, Scottie Scheffler, duels with Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and the chasing pack, we have Tiger Woods going at 9:35 local time alongside the amateur Neal Shipley.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 13: Tyrrell Hatton of England and Tiger Woods of the United States walk across the fourth hole during the third round of the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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