05/04/2025

SATURDAY | APR 5, 2025

28

SPORTS

Scheffler eyes third

PIN HIGH R y d e r gr abs T e x as O p e n l ea d

Masters crown World No. 1 ‘feeling pretty good’ ahead of Augusta challenge T OP-RANKED Scottie Scheffler likes the state of his game as he prepares to before coming to Augusta National, his start slowed by a hand injury suffered cooking Christmas dinner. year included the Paris Olympics and Tour Championship, says it feels like he enters another world when he drives down Magnolia Lane.

S AM RYDER b irdi e d s i x of hi s fin a l se v e n hol es t o s hoo t a b o gey -fr ee, 9-und e r 63 a nd ta k e t h e fir st round l ea d at t h e V a l e ro T exas Op e n yeste rd ay in Sa n An t onio . R y d e r was t i e d for t h e l ea d w i t h K e i t h M i tc h e ll (64) w h e n h e ste pp e d t o t h e tee at t h e p a r-5 , 613- ya rd 1 8t h hol e at TPC Sa n An t onio’ s O a k s Cour se. H e st opp e d hi s t hird s ho t ab ou t a foo t from t h e hol e a nd ta pp e d in for t h e g o- a h ea d b irdi e. M i tc h e ll i s a lon e in sec ond , w hil e Bri a n H a rm a n i s t hird a f te r a 6 und e r 66 . Jord a n S pi et h i s t i e d w i t h C a r s on Youn g at 5-und e r 6 7. R y d e r , 35 , h as n e v e r w on on t h e PGA Tour a nd hold s t h e No . 154 r a nkin g in t h e w orld . If h e w in s t h e t ourn a m e n t, h e w ould ea rn a n invi tat ion t o t h e Maste r s n ext wee k . “I’v e bee n fo c u se d… I f ee l lik e m y ga m e ’ s bee n in a g ood pl ace a nd I’v e bee n ge n e r a ll y h ea l t h y s o I f ee l lik e I kno w kind of m y DNA as a pl aye r a nd I’v e bee n ab l e t o ju st kind of hon e in on t h at, ” R y d e r sa id . ”

Still, Scheffler shared second at the Houston Open in his final Masters tuneup and likes where his game is at as the year’s first major arrives. “Feeling pretty good. Excited about the stuff that we’re working on right now and game feels like it’s in a good spot,” Scheffler said. “I feel like I’m getting a little bit sharper and I feel like I’m improving a little bit… I’m definitely in the swing of a normal year now.” Scheffler credits shotmaking control and solid strategy for playing Augusta National as his reasons for success over the famed layout. “When I’m in control of my golf ball, I have very good strategy for playing the golf course. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to hit the shots. That’s what it is at Augusta,” Scheffler said. “I could talk about it all day long about where to play it and the certain type of shot to hit but if you don’t pull a shot off, you’re going to be punished out there. “Around Augusta National, what makes the golf course so special is always the opportunity to pull off a great shot. I think that style of golf is a bit more exciting than just your typical event.” Scheffler, whose nine triumphs last

defend his Masters title, having bounced back from an early season hand injury. Scheffler seeks his third Masters title in four seasons and second in a row. Only Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo have captured back-to-back Masters crowns. Only Nicklaus has won three in four years.

“When you pull in the gates, I think that’s the most special thing for me. I really feel like you’re just kind of turning into this whole other world,” Scheffler said. “It’s like a different place than the world just outside the gates. And you pull in, and everything else just kind of melts away.” Since winning his first PGA Tour title at Phoenix in February 2022, Scheffler has dominated, impressing fans and rivals alike with his calm demeanor and relaxed attitude. “What Scottie has done the last couple years in golf is amazing,” second-ranked Rory McIlroy said. “He’s great for the game. “His season last year is up there with one of the all-time great seasons in the history of the game. “He’s an amazing player, he’s a great person as well. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Scottie.” Scheffler keeps his attention on the challenges at hand, even with a major title at stake. “What has always worked best for me is staying in the present, working hard preparing for each event,” Scheffler said. – AFP

Kord a stays a liv e at Match Pl ay WORLD N O. 1 a nd d e f e ndin g c h a mpion N e ll y Kord a beat J e nnif e r Kup c ho 1-up yeste rd ay t o k ee p a liv e h e r hop es of a dv a n c in g t o t h e kno c kou t stage of t h e LPGA Matc h Pl ay in L as V egas, N e v a d a. Kord a s urviv e d w h at s h e ca ll e d “v e r y qu est ion ab l e ” pl ay c omin g do w n t h e st r etc h aga in st Kup c ho . S h e we n t 2-up w i t h a p a r at t h e 12 t h hol e a nd r e m a in e d 2-up d es pi te a b o gey at 15 . Bu t Kord a ’ s b o gey at t h e p a r-fiv e 16 t h saw Kup c ho c l aw bac k a hol e be for e Kord a c lo se d ou t t h e w in as t h ey t i e d eac h of t h e l ast tw o hol es w i t h p a r s. “D e fini te l y don’ t h a v e m y best st uff ri g h t no w, ” sa id Kord a, w ho se vi ct or y at S h a do w Cr ee k g olf c our se l ast yea r was on e of h e r se v e n LPGA t i t l es in 2024 . “Th at ’ s t h e g r eatest t hin g ab ou t m atc h pl ay i s e v e n if y ou don’ t h a v e y our best st uff y ou h a v e t o g rind i t ou t. ”

In the past three years, Scheffler has won two or three times

before the Masters. This year, he hasn’t lifted a trophy

Ne ll y Kord a look s on from the 11 th tee during the sec ond round of the LPGA Match Pl ay. – AF PP I C

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