Scottie Scheffler is among the favourites to win this year’s Masters but one outside factor could derail his bid for a second green jacket.
The world number one and 2022 Masters champion currently trails leader Bryson DeChambeau by one shot after an opening-round 66 at Augusta National.
But with his wife Meredith only weeks away from giving birth to their first child, the American has vowed to leave the tournament at a moment’s notice if she goes into labour.
“People have asked us how our preparation is going for the baby,” Scheffler said on Thursday.
“The nursery is not quite ready and we’ve had some issues at our house the last few weeks. I think that’s the exciting part. I think we are definitely underprepared to be parents.
“As far as her going into labour, I wouldn’t say I’m very concerned. We haven’t seen any of the early signs.
“But pregnancy is weird. It can happen at any time. Yeah, open lines of communication and she can get a hold of me if she needs to. I’m ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Scheffler’s stance has remained the same throughout the week.
During the Par 3 Contest ahead of the opening day he reiterated his position that not even golf’s most prestigious event was going to stop him from being there for the birth of his first child.
“I’ll be out of here! I think first child wins over quite a… over many things in my life,” he told reporters.
“If she calls me while I’m on the 17th, then I better go home,” he told ESPN.
Incredibly, Scheffler isn’t the only player in this year’s Masters field awaiting a newborn.
Sam Burns, who is T69 after a three-over par opening round, is also awaiting the birth of his first child with wife Caroline.
Their child is due in just over a week and like Scheffler, he’s reportedly ready to shoot off if the little one comes early.
NBC says both wives have understandably been unable to travel to Georgia for the tournament.
Burns’ wife is thought to be in Choudrant, Louisiana, where the couple live while Scheffler and his wife reside in Dallas, Texas.
Fortunately, both locations are less than a two-and-a-half-hour flight away from Augusta, Georgia, so if either baby does arrive this weekend the pair will be able to get home relatively quickly.
Scheffler in particular will be hoping to squeeze in the rest of the tournament before the birth of his child after a strong opening round.
He shot a bogey-free 66 that leaves him second on the leaderboard and one shot off DeChambeau.
“It’s always nice getting around here bogey-free. I did a good job of staying patient,” Scheffler said.
“We kept the golf course in front of us. And, I mean, I executed some really nice up-and-downs to keep the round going.”
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News Summary:
- This could be the only thing that stops Scottie Scheffler winning The Masters again – and it’s nothing to do with golf
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