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 steady performance has captivated golf fans across America, with the Masters trending nationwide as Sunday's dramatic finish approaches. The tournament marks the first major championship of the year and typically draws massive viewership, especially with a dominant player like Scheffler in contention.
Chasing Scheffler are rising star Will Zalatoris (-9) and veteran Justin Thomas (-8), who both posted strong third-round scores. Defending champion Jon Rahm sits five shots back at 7-under, while Tiger Woods made the cut but trails by 15 strokes after battling Augusta's challenging conditions.
Sunday's final round begins at 10:15 AM ET, with the leaders teeing off at 2:45 PM. CBS will broadcast the action starting at 1 PM ET, with streaming available on Paramount+ and Masters.com. Weather forecasts call for partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures, ideal conditions for dramatic golf.
The Masters always generates intense interest, but this year's tournament has particularly captured attention due to Scheffler's dominant form. He's won three PGA Tour events already this season and could join an elite group of multiple Masters winners with a victory Sunday.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley told reporters Saturday that ticket demand reached record levels this year, with secondary market prices for Sunday badges exceeding $2,500. The economic impact on Augusta, Georgia typically exceeds $100 million during tournament week.
Golf analysts note that Scheffler's lead, while significant, isn't insurmountable on Augusta's treacherous back nine. The course has produced memorable Sunday comebacks, including Nick Faldo's six-shot rally in 1996 and Tiger Woods' historic charge in 2019.
Sportsbooks currently list Scheffler as the heavy favorite at -250 odds. Zalatoris, seeking his first major, sits at +450, while Thomas is +800. The tournament winner will take home $3.24 million from the record $20 million purse.
Sunday's finale promises high drama as Scheffler attempts to cement his status as golf's top player. With perfect weather expected and compelling storylines throughout the leaderboard, the 2026 Masters appears poised for a memorable conclusion.
