The Masters set for epic finale: Scottie Scheffler faces stiff final-day challenge from star-studded field

Might an all-time traditional Augusta remaining spherical play out on Sunday, with world No 1, and 2022 champion, Scottie Scheffler at present holding a one-stroke lead, however with a star-studded area desperate to chase him down.

In among the many high contenders are some potential first-time main winners, together with two making their Masters debuts; there’s the prospect of the third leg of a profession Grand Slam being accomplished, or might we see a LIV golfer raise the trophy?

Or might we merely be in retailer for a Scheffler procession down the stretch? This is what he and a set of his closest challengers needed to say forward of the final-day’s drama…

Scheffler’s quest for a second Augusta success

Scottie Scheffler: In a single day chief at seven below after a third-round 71, which included a surprising eagle at 13 after having dropped three pictures at 10 and 11

“I am happy with how I performed as we speak. It was a superb battle on the market.

“It is good to have that have [of winning in 2022], however going into tomorrow, that is actually all that it’s. I can mirror on a few of that stuff from that spherical and it is a place I am very aware of.

“On the finish of the day, it is all about my course of and attempting to remain affected person on the market and hit all my pictures and hit high quality putts as nicely.

“I am excited for the problem of going and attempting to win the golf match.”

Can Morikawa transfer one away from profession Grand Slam?

Collin Morikawa: 2020 PGA champion and 2021 Open champion, enjoying within the remaining pairing with Scheffler, trailing by one at six below

“Scottie is the No 1 participant on the earth for a cause, and what he is achieved over the previous few years is unbelievable. However, on the finish of the day, it does not scare me.

“If you happen to advised me originally of the week that I might be one again heading into Sunday, I’d have taken that any time. You give your self an opportunity with 18 holes left, that is all you’ll be able to actually do.

“Fortunately I’ve already been in a position to win two [majors], so I can type of return on these experiences and take that have into tomorrow.

“It does not imply tomorrow goes to be an ideal day or go precisely as I deliberate. However I understand how to prep, at the very least. And I feel I’ve bought a fairly good plan, so hopefully we are able to execute it tomorrow.

“It all the time crosses your thoughts [winning the green jacket]. I am not going to say that it does not… we’re right here on a Saturday night time, and I am one again.”

LIV contenders to trigger Augusta upset?

Bryson DeChambeau: 2020 US Open champion, nonetheless within the combine at three below as he indicators off third spherical of 75 with chip-in birdie at 18, having misplaced three-way grip on the lead from day two

“It isn’t simple when the course situations aren’t type of leaning to your favour.

“You simply have to remain optimistic it doesn’t matter what. I had an incredible break on 18… I am going to take that any day of the week.

“It is very troublesome to chase, however I will take what I can on this golf course the place I can, and I’ve bought to make some putts. If I could make some putts tomorrow, I feel I can have a superb alternative. I am excited.”

Cameron Smith: 2022 Open champion, at present six pictures off the tempo at one below

“I feel I am nonetheless within the golf match. The best way that the golf course is enjoying, I really feel actually assured with my ball putting – it is in all probability the most effective I’ve felt shortly – and it solely takes one or two their approach and one or two my approach, then immediately it is actually shut.

“I might prefer to suppose I am a fairly good golfer. I’ve simply bought to maintain doing what I am doing, hitting it to fifteen, 20 ft, and hopefully they go in tomorrow. I’ve simply bought to maintain grinding it out.”

Will Augusta crown a first-time main winner?

Max Homa: Tied on the high with Scheffler and DeChambeau heading into day three, a spherical of 73 has him two strokes off the lead at 5 below

“I will remind myself I am a canine and I am prepared for this second.

“If I catch myself fascinated about what might go incorrect, I let myself dream about what might go proper. I do not know what is going on to occur tomorrow.

“I feel that is the factor… I used to be actually nervous on 18 and putt it proper within the center. Simply since you’re nervous and uncomfortable, it does not imply you are not going to succeed. Even when I’m nervous tomorrow, I’ve simply bought to embrace it.”

Xander Schauffele: 2020 Olympic champion, however but to style main success… he sits 5 again at two below going into Sunday

“I type of must exit and shoot one thing ridiculous tomorrow.

“Completely [it’s possible]. That is all I can shoot for.

“I will be forward of the main teams, however not too far… You simply need an opportunity coming down that again 9. Hopefully I am going to have mine tomorrow.”

Two European stars eyeing Masters glory on Augusta debuts

Ludvig Åberg: The 24-year-old Swede, who starred in Group Europe’s 2023 Ryder Cup win, is at present fourth on the leaderboard at 4 below

“I give it some thought on a regular basis [winning a first major]. I am okay fascinated about it.

“Clearly I am a competitor and I need to win tournaments… I do not suppose you must shrink back from it. I do not suppose you must attempt to push it away. I attempt to embrace it, and I attempt to be okay with all that comes with it.

“Clearly I’ll keep watch over the leaderboard tomorrow and see the place we’re at. You are all the time attempting to place your self in the fitting positions and attempt to make the putts. That is what we’ll attempt to do tomorrow even when we’re tied for the lead or two again or 4 again.”

Nicolai Hojgaard: The 23-year-old Dane briefly held the lead at seven below on Saturday earlier than a run of five-straight bogeys on the second 9 dropped him again to 2 below

“I performed beautiful by the primary 10 and was able the place I used to be actually good mentally, enjoying actually good golf… however then I hit a pair free pictures. From 13 onwards, all of it occurred a bit bit quick.

“If I knew the system, I in all probability would have achieved it on the market. It is simply tough.

“For the time being, I am everywhere. However I’ve bought to regroup, bought to exit and do my finest tomorrow.

“There’s been loads of good things this week. Tomorrow, I am going to attempt to do the identical factor and put myself able the place, with a number of birdies on the again 9, I might need a shot.”

Who will win The Masters? Watch Featured Teams stay on Sunday from 3pm by way of the purple button or log in to the Sky Sports activities app, with stay build-up on Sky Sports activities Golf from 3pm forward of full protection from 6.30pm.

Advert content material | Stream Sky Sports activities on NOW

Stream Sky Sports activities stay with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Immediate entry to stay motion from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket and a lot extra.