Scheffler seals Masters win despite incredible McIlroy charge

Scottie Scheffler came through a final-round tussle with Cameron Smith and overcame a late charge from Rory McIlroy to ease to a maiden major victory at The Masters.

Scheffler saw his overnight advantage temporarily cut from three to one during a thrilling final day at Augusta National, only to pull clear of the chasing pack and register a fourth win in his last six starts.

The world No 1 four-putted his final hole but still posted a one-under 71 to end the week on 10 under and three clear of McIlroy, who carded his career-best finish at The Masters with a round-of-the-day 64, while Smith had to settle for a share of third place alongside Shane Lowry after a final-round 73.

Scheffler had to get up and down from the back of the green to scramble a par on the opening hole, as Smith followed a 15-foot birdie at the first by taking advantage of the par-five next to cut the lead to one.

A two-shot swing at the third saw Smith make bogey and Scheffler chip in from off the green, restoring his overnight advantage, with Smith dropping another shot at the par-three next when he failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker.

Both players birdied the seventh to pull further clear of the field but missed opportunities to add to their tally at the par-five eighth, as McIlroy played himself into the tournament by following a front-nine 32 by birdieing the tenth and rolling in a ten-foot eagle at the par-five 13th.

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Scheffler - four clear at the turn - started his back nine with a bogey, as Smith responded to missing from six feet at the tenth by birdieing the next, with the Australian's major hopes then ruined when he found Rae's Creek off the par-three 12th tee and racked