World No.1 Scottie Scheffler has held rock steady and cruised to a three-shot victory at the US Masters, while Cameron Smith's green jacket hopes, like so many others, disappeared in a watery grave at Amen Corner.
American Scheffler started the final round at sunny Augusta National with a three-shot advantage over Australian Smith and quickly saw it chopped to one after two holes.
But the 25-year-old American did not panic, carding a one-under 71 to post a winning total of 10-under 278, three clear of Rory McIlroy, to collect his first Major title.
McIlroy had the round of the day, returning an eight-under 64, as the Northern Irishman made a stirring late charge in a bid for the elusive title that would see him complete the career Grand Slam.
The year's first Major was poised for a thrilling showdown between the planet's two hottest golfers in Scheffler - 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.
That was the way the final round unfolded, until the par-three 12th in the heart of notorious Amen Corner, where Smith, trailing Scheffler by three, put his tee shot into Rae's Creek and took a triple-bogey six, sending him down the leaderboard.
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.
Reuters
