AUGUSTA – There is not much that can fluster Scottie Scheffler.

The American came into Augusta National as the favourite to win the Masters. Away from the course, the No. 1 golfer in the world and his wife are expecting their first child imminently.

He faced a first round impacted by rain delays and threats of storms, a second with winds that ruined rounds, and then in the third, treacherous greens and a leaderboard that was shifting around him.

But the man seeking a second Masters title after his triumph in 2022 ended April 13 with a one-stroke lead over compatriot Collin Morikawa after carding a one-under 71.

“I’m proud of how I played today. It was a good fight out there. The golf course was extremely challenging. The greens were very firm, very fast, and it was extremely difficult again today,” said Scheffler, after ending his round with an eight-foot birdie putt to regain the solo lead on seven-under 209.

“It was very challenging out there. But it’s a Major championship. I don’t think Augusta wants their golf course to be very easy.”

With his trademark calmness, he coped with the blow of a double-bogey on the par-four 10th and bogey on the par-four 11th by bouncing back with an eagle on the par-five 13th.

Others around him saw their rounds run away from them, particularly Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, who suffered five straight bogeys on the back nine.

Scheffler is rarely demonstrative during play but reacted to his eagle with an impassioned fist pump.

“I would say (it was) extremely important. That’s why I think you saw a bit of emotion there from me on 13 because it was an important time in the tournament. And it was nice kind of turning my Saturday around,” he said.

Scheffler, with eight wins on the PGA Tour, is hugely respected by fellow players and the broader golfing community but, perhaps because of his subdued style, has yet to become a firm fan favourite.

More fans had started to get behind the 27-year-old by the time he got out of a tricky position in the pine needles on the par-four third and got up and down for an unlikely birdie.

It was noticeable throughout stretches of his round that Scheffler had his head down.

“I do my best to try and stay in my little world out there. And sometimes when you get little surprises... just trying to do my best to stay in the moment. So maybe that’s why my head was down a bit more,” he said.

By the time he got to Amen Corner, it may not have been “Scottie Mania” but there was support for the modest Texan.

He can expect much more of that on April 14 as he looks to become the 18th golfer to win multiple Masters titles and said that in spite of his sometimes withdrawn demeanour on course, he enjoys hearing the support.

Without the company of his pregnant wife Meredith, Scheffler had some close friends and old college buddies staying with him on the night of April 13.

He said he has plans in place should there be an important call from Meredith. “I definitely have a way to get home pretty quickly,” he said. “I’ll be available to go home then whenever I need to.”

Meanwhile, Morikawa is hoping some Major experience will make the difference going into the final round, as he chases a third Major trophy in five seasons.

“I know what I need to focus on, and I know what needs to be done if I want to close it off tomorrow,” he said. “As a person and as a golfer, you don’t know how you’re going to react in those situations.

“Thankfully I’ve already been able to win two, so I can kind of go back on those experiences and just take that experience into tomorrow.”

Max Homa (73), who along with LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau (75) held a share of the halfway lead with Scheffler, was a further shot back in third. Ludvig Aberg (70) of Sweden was three shots off the lead in his Major event debut and DeChambeau four adrift. AFP, REUTERS