What we learned during the final round of the Masters

The world's No. 1 golfer was outstanding down the stretch. He weathered two early bogeys with three consecutive birdies on holes No. 8-10. 

Arguably, his best shot came on a drive to the green that set up the second birdie in the sequence. Scheffler was also stoic on the back nine while the field around him stumbled. 

The only drama was whether he'd receive the phone call that his wife had gone into labor. It's only fitting that Scheffler was comfortably ahead of the pack as he closed out the tournament. He's been at the head of the class all year.

Ludvig Aberg is the future

It certainly didn't look like runner-up Aberg was making his Masters debut this week. The 24-year-old Swede is one of the game's rising stars after completing his fourth top-10 finish in 2024. 

He had an impressive putt for birdie on No. 9 to briefly put himself into a tie for first.

While Aberg didn't win, Masters officials might want to go ahead and get his measurements while he's there. Because soon enough, he'll be the king of Augusta National.

Fortunes swing in a heartbeat

Collin Morikawa entered hole No. 9 tied with Scottie Scheffler for the lead at 7-under par but ended the hole three strokes behind the leader, double-bogeying the hole while Scheffler recorded a birdie. That's how the day went for the day's other top contenders. 

Aberg had a water hazard on the 11th hole, resulting in a double bogey, while Max Homa also saw his fortune turn when his tee shot at No. 12 took an awful bounce into thick shrubs, resulting in another double bogey. 

No one else legitimately challenged Scheffler on Sunday, but the trio showed how one bad hole makes all the difference.

Rory McIlroy can't get over the hump

Hopes were high for McIlroy to win his first green jacket entering this year's Masters, but for the 16th time, McIlroy failed to win the event. He finished 4-over-par, leaving him to answer more questions about getting over his Masters hump. 

The pressure will continue to mount until he finally does.

Tiger Woods and broadcaster Verne Lundquist share moment at No. 16

No, Tiger Woods didn't meet a Keebler Elf as he closed out his final round.

Instead, Woods greeted the longtime voice of the Masters, Verne Lundquist, who is retiring following this year's event and was hidden from view from the camera when Woods shook his hand at No. 16. 

The photo might be the only thing Woods laughs about following a grim final 18 holes. The five-time Masters winner finished the tournament plus-16, his worst 72-hole score as a professional.