AUGUSTA – Masters champion Scottie Scheffler showcased once again his outstanding ability to keep his focus and calm, as he marched to his second win at Augusta National on April 14 and then revealed his ruthless side.

Scheffler birdied three of the last six holes to fire a four-under 68 and finish 72 holes over the iconic 7,555-yard Augusta National layout on 11-under 277.

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg shot 69 to finish second on 281.

Two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa had a closing 74 to share third on 284 with fellow American Max Homa (73) and England’s Tommy Fleetwood (69).

Scheffler’s low-key personality and his lack of emotion on the course have led many to presume that he spends his life in what athletes like to call “the zone”.

For some observers, the world No. 1’s Christian beliefs combined with an uncomplicated approach to golf go a long way to explaining the calm way he went about the back nine on Sunday.

But after slipping on the Green Jacket again, Scheffler admitted he is driven by a fierce competitive streak.

“I love winning. I hate losing. I really do,” he said. “And when you’re here in the biggest moments, when I’m sitting there with the lead on Sunday, I really, really want to win badly.”

The 27-year-old is always comfortable discussing his Christian faith but his words suggested that while he does not want his identity to be defined by results, he cannot escape that fierce determination to win.

“I believe that today’s plans were already laid out many years ago, and I could do nothing to mess up those plans,” he said. “I have been given a gift of this talent, and I use it for God’s glory. That’s pretty much it.

“So when I’m out there, I try to compete to the best of my abilities. Like I said, I really want to win.

“I feel like that’s how I was designed. I’ve been that way since I was a young kid. That’s always been a part of me, and I don’t think that should be going away any time soon.”

His hunger for more suggests his current domination of the sport – he has already won three tournaments in 2024 – might not be a fleeting spell at the top.

“I feel like I’m playing really good golf right now,” he said. “I feel like I’m as in control of my emotions as I’ve ever been, which is a good place to be.

“I feel like I’m maturing as a person on the golf course, which is a good place to be.

“I think it’s hard to argue with the results of the last few weeks. I’ve been playing some nice golf.

“But I really try to not focus too much on the past. I’m going to go home this week and reflect on this week and soak it in as best I can.

“It’s not a very satisfying sport because I’m supposed to tee it up again on Thursday. Back to the grind pretty quick.”

His wife, Meredith, is due to give birth to their first child later in April. He is looking forward to the prospect, but says he does not expect sleepless nights to impact his form at the next Major, the PGA Championship at Valhalla.

He said: “Will definitely enjoy the birth of my first child. But with that being said, I still love competing.”

Even though he said golf will now drop down his priority list, below his incoming son or daughter, as well as his wife, he warned: “But I still love competing.

“I don’t plan on taking my eye off the ball any time soon, that’s for sure.” AFP