2022 Masters takeaways: Scottie Scheffler looks to prove bonafides, Justin Thomas lurks entering Moving Day

Scheffler is out to prove his world No. 1 ranking is no fluke at Augusta National

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Perhaps it should not be surprising that the No. 1 golfer in the world, who has also won three of his last five tournaments, shot a 67 on Friday at the 2022 Masters and holds a five-stroke at the first major of the year. However, most No. 1 players in the world did not become No. 1 in the world just two months removed from never having won a PGA Tour event -- like Scottie Scheffler.

The 25-year-old Scheffler's accelerated ride this week mimics his journey over the last two months. His first PGA Tour victory came on Feb. 13 at the Phoenix Open. His second was March 6 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. His third went down just three weeks later March 28 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, the same day he became the No. 1 golfer on the planet.

And now, two weeks after that, he's tied the record by holding the largest 36-hole lead (five strokes over four competitors) in Masters history.