Scottie Scheffler slumps next to ball in the trees as final Masters hole takes grim turn

World No.1 will head into the third round again in serious contention at , although you wouldn't have known it from his expression on the final hole on Friday. Scheffler will tee off on Saturday at five under par, just three behind overall leader Justin Rose.

However, it could have been considerably better for the 28-year-old. After opening with a bogey-free 68 on Thursday, the American appeared to be keeping his momentum up as he picked up two more shots before the turn. Then the conditions turned, though, and in strong winds, he was uncharacteristically erratic on the back nine with three further birdies tainted by four bogeys.

The last of those came on the 18th. Scheffler headed down the last level with rival , who earlier in the day had .

However, he found trouble off the tee, hooking his drive wildly into the Augusta trees. When Scheffler found his ball, his reaction said it all. He slumped to the floor and looked disconsolate as he contemplated how to negotiate the branches and pinecones around him.

Remarkably, when Scheffler rose to his feet, he managed to find the fairway with his rescue chip. The two-time champion couldn't get close enough to the flag with his third shot, though, and ended up with a bogey five.

While he was left to rue his late mistake, Scheffler would also have acknowledged he had a huge stroke of luck earlier in the day. On the par three 12th, he fired his approach over the green and into the azaleas, only for the ball to bounce out and nestle in the light rough.

From there, Scheffler chipped in and came away with a birdie from potential disaster. and is paired with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, who is also five under and a second-round 68.

Scheffler is targeting a third green jacket after his previous triumphs in 2022 and 2024. Between him and leader Rose is , on seven under par, and McIlroy and Corey Connors at six under.