With just a fortnight to go until the Masters, the late withdrawals of any of the game’s leading players from events they had scheduled would typically be cause for concern, especially when it’s the world number one.
Thankfully for Scottie Scheffler who withdrew from this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open, it’s cause for joy as he and his wife Meredith are expecting their second child.
Two year ago, the impending arrival of Bennett, the couple’s first child, sparked fears that a slightly premature birth would force Scheffler to have to abandon his quest for his second Masters, but those worries passed and the world number one got fitted for a second green jacket and had weeks to spare before his wife went into labour.
The arrival of their second child – and fingers crossed, the safe and healthy arrival – is not quite ideal preparation for his challenge for a third Masters win, but at least it removes the question of whether or not he’ll abandon ship even if he’s got one arm in another green jacket when the all-important call comes.
It’s good news for the Schefflers, and it’s good news for Séamus Power who had been first alternate on Tuesday morning but will now take his place on Thursday’s drawsheet alongside Shane Lowry.
Bud Cauley’s withdrawal confirmed Power’s position in the field even before Scheffler removed his name, and Matt Kuchar, who began the week as ninth alternate will fill in for the world number one.
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