Scottie Scheffler’s Resurgent Charge at the 90th Masters
World number one Scottie Scheffler has vaulted back into contention at the 90th Masters following a dominant third-round performance. After a shaky second round threatened to derail his pursuit of a third green jacket, Scheffler delivered a career-day 65 on Saturday to move up the leaderboard and set himself within striking distance for Sunday.
Overcoming a Second-Round Slump
The road to Saturday’s success was not linear. Scheffler entered the week as a favorite, but his momentum stalled on Friday. He shot a 2-over 74 in the second round, snapping a streak of 11 consecutive rounds of par or better that had lasted since the third round of the 2023 Masters. This streak was one of the longest in tournament history, trailing only Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm.
The Friday struggle was marked by uncharacteristic errors, including a 3-iron approach on the par-5 13th that found a tributary of Rae’s Creek and a watery approach on the par-5 15th that landed in the penalty area guarding the 16th hole. These mistakes left the two-time champion outside the top 20 at the end of the second day.
Moving Day Mastery
Scheffler responded with a blistering performance during the third round, highlighted by a 31 on the front nine. His 65 on Saturday represents a critical shift in momentum, allowing him to climb the standings and regain his position as a primary contender.
Despite the brilliance of his score, the post-round atmosphere was tense. Scheffler reportedly expressed frustration during media interactions, specifically reacting sharply to a reporter’s question following his surge up the leaderboard.
Key Takeaways from Scheffler’s 2026 Masters Run
- Resilience: Recovered from a 74 in Round 2 to shoot a 65 in Round 3.
- Historical Context: His Friday round ended one of the most impressive scoring streaks in Augusta National history.
- Current Standing: He remains the World No. 1 and a top threat for the title on Sunday.
A Look at Scheffler’s Dominance
Scheffler’s ability to contend at the Masters is backed by a historic stretch of professional golf. Since turning pro in 2018, he has secured four major championships, including victories at the 2022 and 2024 Masters, the 2025 PGA Championship, and the 2025 Open Championship. His consistency is further evidenced by his tenure as world number one, a position he has held for over 186 weeks as of April 5, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Masters titles does Scottie Scheffler have?
Scottie Scheffler has won the Masters Tournament twice, in 2022, and 2024.
What is Scheffler’s current world ranking?
He is currently ranked world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking.
What other majors has Scheffler won recently?
In 2025, Scheffler won both the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club and The Open at Royal Portrush.
Looking Ahead to Sunday
With a 65 under his belt and the momentum of a “career day,” Scheffler enters the final round as one of the favorites to win. While he needs to maintain the high level of play seen on Saturday to secure the victory, his track record at Augusta National suggests he is well-equipped for the challenge.