2024 Masters: The Champions
The best from another special week in Augusta.
The 2024 edition generated so many winners, losers and somewhere-in-betweens that separate editions are warranted of The Quad’s traditional Champions, Cutmakers and (Point)Missers.
Today we commence with the best of a sensational week in Augusta.
Champions
Scottie Scheffler. As equipment, money, splintered tours and distracted stars usher in parity, Scheffler’s current run takes on more gravity. It’s Tiger-esque. (Though Woods and Phil Mickelson had to make greater equipment adjustments over their career arcs than other all-time greats). Scheffler still has not posted a score over 72 this year. And the long-feared nightmare scenario materialized for his peers when Scheffler’s iron play was so-so at a place where pinpoint iron accuracy is usually mandatory for success. Scheffler hit just 46 of 72 greens in regulation. His above-average putting saw only two three-putts on greens most players said were as difficult as any they’ve played. Scheffler’s putting was consistent over four days as well, another impressive feat for a player who is known to go cold from one day to the next. His power off the tee proved to be a noticeable asset on the weekend, but it’s his old-soul course management and self-confidence that carried the day. Scheffler joins legendary company as a two-time Masters champion by age 27: Nicklaus, Ballesteros and Woods. The only blemish to his week was another concerning bout with the spirit of the rules. A subset of our world admires someone who stretches the boundaries of decorum in a quest for victory, but Scheffler’s second hole issues Sunday probably should have been more closely scrutinized by tournament officials and CBS. Scheffer dropped forward from a crosswalk after what looked like another tense conversation with an official. Then, after airmailing the green, he failed to consult his playing partner or an official after possibly causing his ball to oscillate after persistent club grounding behind the ball. The patrons absolved him but they are not running the tournament. As with his 18th hole incident in 2022, the second hole situation highlighted Scheffler’s pushy persistence with officials and a disappointing lack of concern for how disappointing his spirit-pushing behavior comes across.
Ludvig Aberg. Grace, style, class, joy, humility and immense skill were on display as the appropriately-hyped Swede had a chance to win in his first major start. The rookie and overly-team dependent golfer was exposed a bit when his second shot on 11 found the water. He apparently was unaware of Ben Hogan’s famous line about being seen on the 11th green in two. “You’ll know I missed my second shot.” Did no “team” member mention the play right or the wild idea to intentionally miss the green (as Scheffler appeared to do a group later.) Otherwise, it was an incredible debut performance from a new star. And he’s such a gift for fans needing a nice guy to root for. Sunday on the practice putting green moments for the biggest round of his life, a young boy correctly pronounced his last name and said “nice putt Aberg.” Aberg returned a smile and mouthed, “thank you.” Needless to say he was not wearing headphones or oblivious to the privilege he enjoys as a golfer on a grand stage.
Neil Shipley. The only amateur to make the cut piled up great moments over four rounds and drew Tiger Woods for Sunday’s final day. Anyone have Neil Shipley (73) beating Tiger (77) by four over 18 holes last week? There are still questions about what caught Shipley’s eye during the Butler Cabin ceremony and his odd response to a question Sunday when asked about being seen getting some sort of paper from Tiger. But the hair was flowing for the Silver Cup trophy photos and somewhere Clifford Roberts was asking how this could happen.
Fred Ridley. The Chairman that took a significant risk altering the build-up and mystique of The Masters in starting the Augusta National Women’s Amateur once again faced questions about helping the women’s professional game. He deftly explained why the club cannot take on a women’s professional major or artificially prop up the LPGA Tour. The ANWA has succeeded beyond most wild hopes in promoting women’s golf while shaping the confidence and image of developing players who are already going on to great things and citing the ANWA as a key career boost. Ridley hopefully put the question to rest while also generally coming off as sensitive to real-world concerns, highly credible, prepared, invested in all aspects of the Masters and best of all, looking out for the long-term health of golf.
Caddies. Another great week for the men in jumpsuits both present or past. Ted Scott’s fourth time looping for a Masters champion puts him one shy of Pappy Stokes and Willie Peterson on the all-time list. Scott is also coaching amateur Laney Frye, a cutmaker in the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. In the big tournament, Tommy Fleetwood employed 70-year-old club looper Gray Moore to sub for his longtime bagman, the recuperating Ian Finnis. With a T4 paying $880,000, Moore collected a nice check. Maybe a few more players will consider a club caddie instead of a “team” member? Early in the week a private documentary screening on the life and influence of legendary bagman Carl Jackson was screened at the Augusta History Museum for the likes of Ben Crenshaw, Verne Lundquist and Warren Stephens, the son of former Masters chairman Jack Stephens. The elder Stephens’ incredible bond with Jackson puts the former chairman in a new light. The almost-complete film is quite moving at times and an important piece of work that even made news thanks to Scheffler’s cameo. He explains how Jackson gave him input on Augusta National green reading and credits Crenshaw for the helpful introduction. Finally, the caddie’s role in the tournament is once again beautifully bookended by the re-release and extensively updated look at The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National by Ward Clayton. Both the film and and book may already need another update after the men in jumpsuits continue to play a special role in the tournament.
Second Cut. The Masters version of “rough” is all but gone in key play areas and the course looks so much better for it. Most fairways have been widened out to the drip lines of pines, most noticeably on the 7th and 17th fairways. The reduction, elimination or minimizing of “lines” is largely symbolic since we’re in an era of silly grooves that can impart spin out of any decent lie. But it’s still a welcome change that improves the course and inches it back to the spirit of its best days after a brief detour.
