MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 8, 2022

Scottie Scheffler

Butler Cabin

Q. With the leader here at the halfway point of the Masters is Scottie Sheffler, World No. 1, and I said during the broadcast, you and I talked last week on SportsCenter about being number one and what's that feel like and this and that, and you said it's not different. Nothing feels much different at all. Well, you come here. You play the Masters, and now you're showing why you're World No. 1. I wonder what feels different now that you lead by five heading into these last two rounds?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: I feel like my game is in a good spot. I've done a good job managing my way around the golf course the last two days, and I've made some really nice up and downs and key putts that have kept my rounds going. I've kept my cards pretty clean for the most part, which is nice.

Q. And when you have found a little bit of trouble, maybe like off 18 tee we don't know where you're going to be, and then you have a clean look, and you give yourself a look at birdie. When you win tournaments, some things go right. You haven't put yourself in many spots of bother at all, but I just wonder how much of the calm that you feel takes any of the concern you might have in a situation like that and throws it away?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: I got a good break there on 18. I'm sure I got a couple of other good breaks today. Like I said, just kind of staying in position. Immediately when I've gotten out of position the last few days, I've done a really good job of getting the ball back in play and putting myself in a spot where I can get the ball up and down.

Q. What's different about trying to play with a lead as opposed to playing catch-up which is how you won both in Phoenix and Orlando?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: I wouldn't imagine there's too much of a difference. I think I'm still playing against the golf course out there, and there's a bunch of other guys in the field, so I can't be paying too much attention to them either way.

Q. I'm not trying to sell you on anything being negative, about being up five at the halfway point. It's all gravy, but there is a long wait, and everybody is trying to fire at you. What, if anything, changes about the approach heading into Saturday?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: If anything, it gives me more confidence. Once I saw that I took the lead at one point today, and my first thought was to just keep trying to build it just because I feel like I'm playing well.

That will be the goal going into tomorrow, just to keep putting myself in good positions, execute shots, and as long as I'm committed to everything, everything should be fine. The rest really isn't up to me.

Q. Framing your 67, Justin shot 67 as well, in the conditions that we saw. I'm asking you to brag a bit on yourself. How good is 67 on Friday out here?

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: To be completely honest, the front nine was such a grind. The wind was crazy. There was some times where we saw the sand blowing up out of the bunkers out there. It was ridiculous. I think we were a little bit fortunate that it did die down a little bit towards the end of the day. It was still gusty, but you were able to find some spots where, for instance, on 16 I almost didn't even play any wind. We were definitely fortunate in that sense, but we were also playing in some pretty aggressive winds at the beginning of the round.

Q. You play in the last group on Friday. You'll be in the last group Saturday. The goal will to be in the last group Sunday and the goal will be to come right back here Sunday night when there's a chance to make history. All the best. Play well this weekend. Scottie Scheffler, you've been great so far.

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER: Thank you.