“Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler dominate Masters, breaking away from the field.
World number one, Scottie Scheffler, and golf legend Tiger Woods were among those who took a break from the Masters tournament action to witness a remarkable celestial event – a 76% shading of the sun by the moon
Masters week begins in the morning. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Gfc8p6J0rV
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2024
Scheffler, a favorite among oddsmakers aiming for his second green jacket, enjoyed the eclipse alongside US amateur Stewart Hagestad, taking a moment to view the spectacle through specially designed Masters eclipse glasses.
Hagestad expressed his appreciation for the experience, highlighting the joy of sharing such moments with fellow players. “Just to have the little girl come over with the glasses and to be like, ‘Hey, check out the eclipse,’ that’s neat,” Hagestad said. “I certainly didn’t make her day but hopefully Scottie did. That stuff is really cool.”
For Scheffler, this year’s Masters holds the potential to etch his name alongside Woods as the only player to claim the prestigious title twice while holding the top spot in the world rankings.
Meanwhile, Woods, aiming for a remarkable comeback following right ankle surgery last April, showcased his prowess on the course alongside Will Zalatoris. Zalatoris praised Woods’ performance, highlighting his impressive play despite recent health challenges. “He played great today,” Zalatoris said. “He outdrove me a couple times so there was some chirping going on. He looks great. He’s moving as well as he can be.”
Despite ongoing struggles with mobility after a serious car crash in 2021, Woods remains determined to make his mark at Augusta, aiming to extend his streak of consecutive Masters cuts and potentially break tournament records.
The eclipse provided a unique moment of awe and reflection for players, with many marveling at the sight through Masters-logo spectacles. Sahith Theegala described the experience as “wild,” while Peter Malnati cherished the memory as a unique addition to his first Masters experience.
Canadian golfer Corey Conners echoed the sentiment, expressing his surprise at the eclipse’s clarity and impact. “It exceeded my expectations. It was really cool,” he said.
As the tournament progresses, other players like Rory McIlroy and defending champion Jon Rahm are also chasing their own slices of Masters history, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding this iconic event in golf.
