Major win cements Scheffler as world's best player

Scottie Scheffler held rock steady and cruised to a three-shot victory at the Masters on Sunday to earn the coveted 'Green Jacket' and cement his status as the world's top ranked golfer.

From winning his first PGA Tour event at the Phoenix Open just two months ago to claiming his first major title at Augusta National, Schleffer's rise has been nothing short of meteoric.

Starting the final round with a three-shot advantage over Australian Cameron Smith, the 25-year-old American carded a one-under 71 for a 10-under 278 total, three clear of Rory McIlroy and five ahead of Smith.

McIlroy's eight-under 64 matched the final-round record at the Masters as the Northern Irishman made a stirring late charge in a bid to claim the elusive title that would see him complete the career Grand Slam.

Scheffler said he could afford to focus on his own game thanks to his three-shot cushion.

"I may have looked calm on the outside, but it's a long day. It's a tough day," said Scheffler.

"I was fortunate to put myself in a position where I was in control of the tournament today, so I didn't have to worry about what anyone else was doing out there.

"If I took care of my stuff and played good solid golf, I felt like I would get the job done."

The year's first major was poised for a showdown between the planet's two hottest golfers in Scheffler, the winner of three of his last five PGA Tour starts, and Smith, who claimed golf's unofficial fifth major at the Players Championship in March.

And that is how the final round unfolded until the par three 12th in the heart of the notorious Amen Corner when Smith put his tee shot into Rae's Creek on the way to a triple bogey six, sending him down the leaderboard.

"It's just a really bad swing," said Smith. "Probably one of the worst swings of the week and just at the worst time of the week. Just unfortunate, but I'll grow from this and be stronger for it."

A rattled Smith never recovered, slumping to a one-over 73 to finish five back in a tie for third with Irishman Shane Lowry, who closed with 69.