Scottie Scheffler reveals his Masters escape plan if he’s forced to withdraw – but risks breaking Augusta protocol
MASTERS leader Scottie Scheffler is ready to bend the rules to help him quit Augusta early – if his wife contacts him.
The “excited” World No1’s priority is Meredith and the imminent birth of their first child.
REUTERS/Brian SnyderScottie Scheffler and wife Meredith Scudder marked his 2022 Masters glory with a kiss and this time around hope for a double celebration[/caption]
Scheffler says the birth of his first child is the most important thingGetty
GettyMeredith is due to give birth imminently[/caption]
AlamyShe is one of his biggest supporters – but can’t be at the Masters this year[/caption]
And to keep him in touch for that big moment, the 27-year-old admitted “somebody has access to a phone” – which is a breach of Masters protocol.
Scheffler leads Callum Morikawa by a stroke and their fellow American Max Homa by two shots as they enter Sunday’s final round.
But he said: “Right now, the most exciting thing is not winning the Masters, it’s baby coming pretty soon.”
And asked about an escape plan, he added: “I definitely have a way to get home pretty quickly.”
Scheffler then turned to an Augusta National member at the press conference and said: “We have somebody here that has access to their cell phone.”
He confirmed: “Yes, I’ll be available to go home then whenever I need to.”
And questioned as to whether Meredith would make contact, he said: “She’d better call.”
The couple live in Dallas, Texas, where they wed in 2020 after six years of dating.
Scheffler’s only Major so far was Augusta glory in 2022.
And he revealed he “cried like a baby” from the pressure back then when, as now, he led at that tournament at the 54-hole mark.
But that’s nothing compared to the emotion he’s feeling now.
Their first child, however, isn’t due for another couple of weeks.
So, unlike 2022, Scheffler will be hoping for two separate triumphs this time around.
