Scottie Scheffler showcased his superior class during the final round of the Masters to seal a four-shot victory at Augusta.
The world number one went into Sunday's play holding a marginal lead on the chasing pack, but there were times during the closing 18 holes that an upset was on the cards.
Collin Morikawa was faultless through the opening eight holes alongside Scheffler, while Ludvig Aberg showed quality and composure beyond his years to remain on Scheffler's coattails.
Max Homa also lurked in the background, but even with Scheffler posting bogeys at four and seven, the trio were powerless to prevent the 27-year-old from picking up a second green jacket.
Scheffler had initially got up and down well to par the opening two holes, before a majestic bunker shot on three helped put a birdie on the board, but it was not until the eighth hole did he put the accelerator down.
The winning putt. pic.twitter.com/fAUNSaDBSn
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 14, 2024
Birdies came at eight, nine and 10, and although a bogey followed on 11, it was after Morikawa and Aberg had posted three double-bogeys between them between nine and 11 to lead them adrift and lacking momentum.
Even though Aberg recomposed himself to finish as runner-up, the Swede had little chance of catching Scheffler, who played the final seven holes in three-under-par to rubber-stamp what was eventually a dominant win.
Aberg, on his first-ever major appearance, finished second by three shots, while Tommy Fleetwood joined Morikawa and Homa in third after a final-round 69.
LIV duo Cameron Smith and Bryson Dechambeau would finish a credible sixth, with Xander Schauffele, Will Zalatoris, Tyrrell Hatton and Cameron Young completing the top 10.
Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick were among the group at four-over-par, finishing in a share of 22nd, while Jon Rahm ended his title defence with a tie for 45th.
