Scheffler Gambles with Magnolia Trees in Masters Round Two

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler‘s title defense at the 2025 Masters Tournament took some unexpected turns as he navigated his way through a challenging second round, wrapping up on Friday with a score of 71. Now sitting three shots off the lead, Scheffler faces a tough climb to secure his third green jacket.

After leading by five shots at the halfway point in 2022 and by four last year, Scheffler finished the day at 5-under par 139, tied for fifth place among a group of competitive contenders, including Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Aberg.

Scheffler started the tournament strongly, playing the first 24 holes without a bogey. However, he encountered difficulties on the back nine, resulting in three bogeys over a five-hole stretch. His performance was temporarily overshadowed by a dramatic moment on the par-3 12th hole, where he faced challenges when his approach shot landed in thick adjacent bushes. To his surprise, the azaleas managed to push the ball back into play, allowing him to chip in for a crucial birdie.

“When you’re playing for the wind to be into and it turns around and goes straight down, I mean, it’s very challenging,” Scheffler said. “I was fortunate to see the ball come out of the bushes and was able to take advantage of the break.”

As wind gusts and cooling temperatures made the course more treacherous, he showcased resilience by securing birdies on holes 14 and 17. Nevertheless, a frustrating three-putt bogey on the par-3 16th left him questioning his performance as he neared the day’s conclusion.

Scheffler’s drive on the final hole landed under a magnolia tree, forcing him to address the ball from his knees. After consulting with a rules official, he successfully punched out to the fairway but ended the hole with a bogey.

“It’s quite challenging and you get winds like that. You’ve really got to manage your expectations out there,” he said. “Sometimes I did a good job of that. Other times today, maybe not so good.”

As the reigning champion, Scheffler is hopeful to become the first player since Tiger Woods to win consecutive Masters titles. At just 28 years old, achieving a third green jacket would make him the youngest player to reach this milestone, a feat accomplished by only eight golfers historically.

This year marks a special occasion for Scheffler as it is his first Masters tournament as a father. He has embraced his role, bringing his 11-month-old son Bennett to the Par 3 Contest earlier this week, wearing a miniature caddie jumpsuit. As the tournament progresses, fans are eager to see if the memories created in this year’s Masters will be as memorable as those from his past victories.