Scottie Scheffler runs away with Masters for first major title

Scottie Scheffler made sure the only drama on Sunday came at the start of the final round of the Masters and not the end, as he cruised to a three-shot victory at Augusta National Golf Club.

Scheffler shot a one-under-par 71 to secure his first major title, checking in at 10-under 278 for the four rounds despite a double-bogey on the last hole.

The American, 25, was entered in the Masters for the third time.

He has been dominant in 2022, winning three PGA Tour events and rising to the No 1 world ranking even before conquering the field in the most famous tournament of them all.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was the runner-up after posting the best score of the day, a bogey-free 64.

Australia's Cameron Smith (73) and Ireland's Shane Lowry (69) shared third at five under. Collin Morikawa (67) placed fifth at 4 under.

Will Zalatoris, who was the 2021 runner-up in his Masters debut, shot 67 to move to three under and tie with Canada's Corey Conners for sixth place.

Scheffler's biggest competition came from Smith, who trimmed a three-shot deficit to a stroke before fading.

Smith posted birdies on the first two holes before Scheffler birdied the next and built his lead back to four strokes.

Scottie Scheffler and caddie Ted Scott celebrate on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10 in Georgia. AFP

Smith found the water off the tee at the par-three 12th and made a triple bogey before adding a bogey at the 14th.

Scheffler, after three consecutive pars on the second nine, notched birdies at the 14th and 15th to climb five shots up on McIlroy with three holes to play.

McIlroy, a four-time major champion, has never won at the Masters. Yet he matched the best final round in the