Scottie Scheffler Leads Masters As Final Round Nears

Scottie Scheffler Leads Masters As Final Round Nears...

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler holds a three-shot lead heading into Sunday's final round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. The 29-year-old Texan carded a 5-under 67 on Saturday to reach 12-under for the tournament, putting him in prime position to win his second green jacket after his 2022 victory.

Scheffler's consistent play has made him the betting favorite, but he faces stiff competition from rising star Will Zalatoris (9-under) and veteran Justin Thomas (8-under). The tournament is drawing intense interest as golf's first major of the year reaches its climax, with Sunday's final round airing live on CBS.

Augusta National's notoriously difficult back nine could still shake up the leaderboard. In 2022, Scheffler nearly squandered a five-shot lead before steadying himself to win by three strokes. This year's tournament features ideal spring conditions, with sunny skies and mild temperatures expected for Sunday's finale.

The Masters always captures national attention, but this year's tight leaderboard and Scheffler's dominance have particularly engaged sports fans. Golf viewership is up 18% this season, fueled by the PGA Tour's new streaming partnerships and Scheffler's compelling storyline as he chases his fourth major title.

Tiger Woods, making his 30th Masters appearance at age 50, missed the cut after struggling with Augusta's hilly terrain. His absence removes a major draw but allows focus on the current generation of stars battling for the iconic green jacket. The winner will take home $3.24 million from the tournament's record $20 million purse.

Sunday's final pairing of Scheffler and Zalatoris tees off at 2:40 PM ET, with millions expected to tune in. The Masters remains the most-watched golf event in America, and this year's dramatic finish could produce record ratings if the lead changes hands on the back nine.