AUGUSTA, GA. The first major championship for 2024 is now in the history books. A number of players emerged while others submerged.
Here's how they fared.
Scottie Scheffler (A)
The world's top player had the bulls-eye on his back and he matched what Tiger Woods did twice in being the number one player going into Augusta and emerging with another green jacket.
Scheffler was tested at various moments and for all but the briefest of times he was in front for much of the event. The run of six birdies between the 8th and 16th holes during Sunday's final round showed a golfer who is now accelerating in his position as the world's best player. A monster year beckons.
Jon Rahm (D)
The defending champion was simply absent from Augusta this year. Yes, he made the 36-hole cut but he was never remotely a factor.
The biggest question is how does his participation with LIV impact his wherewithal to return to the form he showed when still a member of the PGA Tour. Rahm spent more time whining about course conditions than focusing his mind on what was needed to score.
Ludvig Åberg (A)
The 23-year-old Masters rookie showed plenty of game in earning a solo runner-up position. The Swede's pulled approach into the pond at the 11th was his only glaring mistake. To his credit he climbed back with back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th holes. The future is indeed bright for this talented player.
Collin Morikawa (B)
The two-time major champion had not showed much form at all in coming to Augusta. Showed quality form for the first three rounds however and went neck-and-neck with Scheffler for much of the front nine Sunday.
Double-bogeys at the 9th and 11th doomed his chances. Battled back with two birdies before concluding with a bogey at the 18th. Bright spot was a much-improved putter performance. Will be interesting to see if the success at Augusta spills over for the balance of the year.
Max Homa (B)
For a golfer who has had nearly no success in majors, Homa backed up his first top ten at last year's Open Championship with a tie for 3rd.
Major issue was a 33-hole no-birdie streak that took place from the 3rd round to the 4th. Homa did not fall back but he could not generate enough momentum to pose a more serious challenge to Scheffler.
Joaquin Neumann (C)
Was extended an invitation to play in this year's tournament because of his performance in LIV events. More was expected of him given his playing record coming into Augusta.
Xander Schauffele (C)
Had moments of solid play but overall, once again failed to display consistency over the full 72 holes.
Tiger Woods (C)
Mixed bag for the 15-time major winner. Making the 36-hole cut and setting a record for 24 consecutive made was noteworthy. But the 5-time Masters champion simply played horribly on the weekend which included his worst score ever in the tournament with an 82. The bigger question for Woods is he able to do the needed work to become relevant again? What's clear is that his belief he can win at the elite level is more fantasy than reality.
Bryson DeChambeau (C)
Secured the 1st round lead but afterwards was unable to sustain any momentum. Credit him for not giving up but the needed fireworks from Bryson was more dud than explosive.
Tommy Fleetwood (B)
Played steady golf throughout the event – finishing in a tie for third -- but was never a factor at the top of the leaderboard. The bigger question is how much time is left for Fleetwood to win his first major?
Cameron Young (C)
Another quality performance -- a tie for 9th -- but clearly the issues with his putting remains a critical question mark going forward. Superior ball striking can only get you so far. Just ask Scheffler that until he began to putt better.
Viktor Hovland (F)
The man who showed such promise in last year's major events and in winning last year's Tour Championship is completely lost. Can he regain some semblance of past success for the rest of '24? That answer remains highly doubtful given what he failed to show at Augusta.
Rory McIlroy (F)
After securing his first top ten this season in Houston there was much hype that the four-time major winner would be ready to secure his first green jacket. Overall, his play was anything but consistent. Rory has the talent to win more majors but just getting past the four he has is now almost a decade old.
José María Olazábal (B)
Hats off to the two-time champion who demonstrated a quality effort in making the 36-hole cut at age 58 and finishing in a tie for 46th.
Wyndham Clark (D)
Playing in his 1st Masters, the U.S. Open champion simply played woeful golf for the 36 holes he played. Whispers are becoming louder that the win at LACC last year was more of a one-time thing. How Clark fares in the remaining majors will determine if that criticism is real or overstated.
Justin Thomas (F)
Looked like a certainty to make the cut before imploding on the final five holes Friday in scoring seven-over-par total. Bagged his caddie before the start of the event – hardly a smart move since "Bones" Mackay is one of the best and his game is a mixture of inconsistency and no confidence. Not the combination that leads to a winning formula.
Jordan Spieth (F)
With only two wins on the PGA Tour since winning the 2017 Open Championship and coupled with a completely forgettable two rounds at this year's Masters, the bigger issue is can Spieth truly regain footing to be among the elite players in the game?
Dustin Johnson (F)
The man who won the 2020 Masters and the golfer who showed up this week is the equivalent of Superman and Clark Kent respectively. Has all the LIV money simply satiated his desire to win?
Brooks Koepka (D)
After nearly winning last year, the belief was that magically Koepka would get himself back into the fray again. Ball striking was not anywhere near usual self. Needs to show much more when PGA Championship comes to Valhalla next month.
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Masters officials (C)
Give high marks in having the golf course set-up well. The downside was allowing pace of play to become a death march during Friday's second round with some groups finishing barely under six hours.
CBS Sports (B+)
Quality production overall. Hats off to Verne Lundquist in finishing a 40-year tenure in his involvement with the Masters.
