The Masters: Scottie Scheffler not motivated by legacy ahead of title defense at Augusta National | Golf News

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is trying to develop into the fourth participant in historical past to efficiently defend his Masters title; Rory McIlroy targets a profession Grand Slam at Augusta Nationwide and Jon Rahm a fourth win of the 12 months

Scottie Scheffler insists he treats The Masters no in a different way than another title protection, regardless of his likelihood to make main historical past at Augusta Nationwide.

Scheffler clinched a primary main title with a powerful three-stroke win in final 12 months’s contest, a part of a dominant four-in-six-tournament win streak to begin 2022.

The American efficiently defended his title on the WM Phoenix Open in February and picked up a five-stroke victory at The Gamers final month, with Scheffler now having the possibility to choose up a seventh win in 14 months.

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A glance again at Scottie Scheffler’s sensational victory on the 2022 version of the Masters

Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods are the one gamers to have beforehand efficiently defended their Masters title, with Scheffler being adamant that having enjoyable is extra of a motivation than making a legacy.

“Simply because it is the Masters and it’s what it’s, and it is such a particular match that I believe we construct it a lot in our heads,” Scheffler mentioned in his press convention earlier than match.

“By way of my preparation, I’ve stored issues fairly just like what they have been final 12 months, aside from getting right here a number of hours earlier on Sunday so I might play extra golf.

“When the match begins on Thursday, everybody begins evenly. Simply since you defend does not imply I can begin at a penny. I’ll method it like I do in numerous different tournaments.

Scottie Scheffler is co-favorite with Rory McIlroy to win first main of the 12 months

“The legacy on the finish is not actually what I play for. That being mentioned, any time you could be talked about in the identical breath as a Tiger and a Jack and a Nick Faldo, it is actually particular, nevertheless it’s not a motivating issue for me to come back and play right here.

“It is so particular and funky when it occurs, nevertheless it would not encourage me right here. I simply attempt to come right here and do my greatest and play good golf and have enjoyable. Legacy is a sophisticated factor. In 100 years I will likely be forgotten and it doesn’t matter.”

Golf’s ‘massive three’ to renew rivalry in Augusta

Scheffler heads into the primary main match of the 12 months as world number one forward of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, each of whom might overtake the top-ranked American with a win this week.

Rahm is already a three-time PGA Tour winner this 12 months and McIlroy – chasing a profession Grand Slam this week – began 2023 with victory on the Hero Dubai Desert Traditional, with golf’s prime trio having gained six titles up to now. final three months.

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Tiger Woods says it is ‘solely a matter of time’ earlier than Rory McIlroy wins in Augusta and ends his profession Grand Slam wait

“We’re undoubtedly not getting worse, that is for certain,” Scheffler added. “I believe you have seen a fairly excessive degree of consistency from us to date this 12 months. I believe if you happen to take a look at numerous the leaderboards, we have been near profitable a lot of the excessive occasions.

“Lots of that is simply good, wholesome competitors and hopefully we proceed to raise ourselves by this competitors after which the fellows behind us will solely be motivated to get to the place we’re.”

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Wealthy Beem offers his the reason why he thinks Rory McIlroy will likely be victorious at Augusta this 12 months

Requested about their consistency, McIlroy mentioned: “It looks like one of many three of us pops up each week we play with an opportunity of profitable. That is the extent all of us need to be at.

“I believe for me, anyway, seeing these two guys persistently carry out at this degree drives me to need to be higher.”

Watch The Masters all week lengthy dwell on Sky Sports activities! Reside protection of the opening spherical begins Thursday from 2pm on Sky Sports activities Golf.