{"id":209,"date":"2025-04-29T13:55:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T13:55:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/?p=209"},"modified":"2025-04-29T13:55:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T13:55:30","slug":"rory-mcilroy-has-referenced-scottie-scheffler-so-often-in-recent-months-is-he-now-finally-ready-to-surpass-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/?p=209","title":{"rendered":"Rory McIlroy Has Referenced Scottie Scheffler So Often In Recent Months\u2026 Is He Now Finally Ready To Surpass Him?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/newscr.bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/25-1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-hitmag-featured size-hitmag-featured wp-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/newscr.bio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/25-1-735x400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"735\" height=\"400\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Ironically, it all started after\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/things-you-didnt-know-about-rory-mcilroy\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/things-you-didnt-know-about-rory-mcilroy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/things-you-didnt-know-about-rory-mcilroy\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"9314226841355877337\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Rory McIlroy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rory McIlroy<\/a>\u00a0offered out a friendly piece of advice to\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/scottie-scheffler-facts-bio-wins-career-earnings\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/scottie-scheffler-facts-bio-wins-career-earnings\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tour\/scottie-scheffler-facts-bio-wins-career-earnings\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1063293959949216509\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Scottie Scheffler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottie Scheffler<\/a>\u00a0at the Genesis Invitational in 2024. The Northern Irishman \u2013 himself the victim of the occasional putting woe \u2013 suggested on commentary duties that\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/scottie-scheffler-makes-exact-change-rory-mcilroy-suggested-two-weeks-ago\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/scottie-scheffler-makes-exact-change-rory-mcilroy-suggested-two-weeks-ago\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/scottie-scheffler-makes-exact-change-rory-mcilroy-suggested-two-weeks-ago\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"8706645058837836602\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Scheffler could benefit from trying a mallet-style putter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scheffler could benefit from trying a mallet-style putter<\/a>\u00a0in a bid to solve his own issues with the flatstick.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jwplayer__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"jwplayer__wrapper\">\n<div id=\"futr_botr_xyuj5R7f_vQXY5eDU_div\" class=\"future__jwplayer\">\n<div id=\"botr_xyuj5R7f_vQXY5eDU_div\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>At the time, it was the only problem in a game which was otherwise pretty much flawless for the American.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"hawk-base hawk-processed\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" data-widget-id=\"33798eee-343a-49e7-b072-ae377a3a3b13\" data-result=\"missing\">\n<div class=\"hawk-master-widget-hawk-base-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"hawk-master-widget-hawk-base-wrapper\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Coincidentally, the World No.1 rocked up to his next competitive appearance \u2013 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational \u2013 with a\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/reviews\/putters\/taylormade-2023-spider-tour-putters-review\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/reviews\/putters\/taylormade-2023-spider-tour-putters-review\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/reviews\/putters\/taylormade-2023-spider-tour-putters-review\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1717568974507755778\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"TaylorMade Spider Tour X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TaylorMade Spider Tour X<\/a>\u00a0after toying with the idea of moving over to a new style of putter for a while beforehand. He won by five.<\/p>\n<p>That victory sparked a run of success rarely witnessed since\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/tiger-woods\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/tiger-woods\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/tag\/tiger-woods\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"4371826924017963069\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Tiger Woods\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tiger Woods<\/a>, with Scheffler carving open almost every field he teed it up in and winning nine times in total \u2013 including a second Masters title and a first Olympic gold medal.<\/p>\n<p>As Scheffler enjoyed a well-earned rest, McIlroy headed back to Europe and the Middle East to try and seal a sixth Race To Dubai crown. In the build-up to his\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/rory-mcilroy-emotional-equalling-seve-ballesteros-record\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/rory-mcilroy-emotional-equalling-seve-ballesteros-record\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/rory-mcilroy-emotional-equalling-seve-ballesteros-record\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1082854808001436468\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"emotional DP World Tour Championship triumph\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">emotional DP World Tour Championship triumph<\/a>, McIlroy revealed that he was planning on trying to \u201cbe more like Scottie\u201d in 2025 in a bid to fulfil his enormous potential.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS-320-80.jpg 320w\" alt=\"Erica Stoll, Poppy McIlroy and Rory McIlroy after Rory won his sixth Race To Dubai title in 2024\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sc9SYYGZXLGu4mzowwy5vS.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>Erica Stoll, Poppy McIlroy and Rory McIlroy after Rory won his sixth Race To Dubai title in 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Referencing Scheffler and Xander Schauffele \u2013 who won two of the other three Majors last term \u2013 McIlroy said: \u201cThey certainly separated themselves from the pack this year. I\u2019m obviously very aware of that, and it only makes me more motivated to try to emulate what they did this year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Exactly what imitating Scheffler looked like to McIlroy was made more apparent ahead of the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. The current World No.2 would go on to win pretty comfortably in California, days after he had explained how his plan of attack would be modified moving forward.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-X2LXDtSW522eapcvQjriSW\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-X2LXDtSW522eapcvQjriSW slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<h2 class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer\u2019s guides from our team of experienced experts.<\/p>\n<form class=\"newsletter-form__form newsletter-form__form--inbodyContent\" action=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit\" method=\"POST\" data-hydrate=\"true\"><input class=\"form__email-input form_input form__email-input form__email-input--inbodyContent\" name=\"MAIL\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Your Email Address\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/><label class=\"form__checkbox-label\"><input class=\"form__checkbox-input form_input form__checkbox-input form__checkbox-input--inbodyContent\" name=\"CONTACT_OTHER_BRANDS\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/>Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands<\/label><label class=\"form__checkbox-label\"><input class=\"form__checkbox-input form_input form__checkbox-input form__checkbox-input--inbodyContent\" name=\"CONTACT_PARTNERS\" type=\"checkbox\" value=\"\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/>Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors<\/label><input class=\"form__submit-input form_input form__submit-input form__submit-input--inbodyContent\" required=\"\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Sign me up\" data-hydrate=\"true\" \/><\/form>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer\">By submitting your information you agree to the\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/terms-conditions\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"5094194241034147101\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Terms &amp; Conditions\">Terms &amp; Conditions<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/futureplc.com\/privacy-policy\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"4430026145452892240\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"Privacy Policy\">Privacy Policy<\/a>\u00a0and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On the Wednesday, McIlroy said: \u201cIn the history of golf, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen a golfer play as many bogey-free rounds as Scottie. He just doesn\u2019t make mistakes. It\u2019s so impressive. He plays the right shot at the right time over and over and over again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou obviously need the technical ability to be able to do that, but he doesn\u2019t make mistakes. And when you don\u2019t make mistakes on the golf course, the game can become pretty easy. So super impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ-320-80.jpg 320w\" alt=\"Rory McIlroy holds up the 2025 AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am trophy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fT55poZ7bjG6zu98eLoXPJ.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>Rory McIlroy holds up the 2025 AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am trophy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The Northern Irishman elaborated on his answer after putting his tweaked game-plan into action by reaching the top of the leaderboard prior to the final round via a bogey-free seven-under 65.<\/p>\n<p>McIlroy said: \u201cI played well. I didn\u2019t make any mistakes. One of the things I really want to do this year is try to limit my mistakes and play bogey-free. Three of my last four rounds have been that way, last round in Dubai, first round here and now this round. Just really try to limit the mistakes and play smart golf and be a little more like Scottie Scheffler, basically.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In his post-tournament press conference, the 28-time PGA Tour winner shared another answer on a similar theme. He said: \u201cThere\u2019s impulses that I have on the golf course that it looks like Scottie doesn\u2019t have and I have to rein those in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Further praise was directed the World No.1\u2019s way before The Players Championship, which McIlroy went on to win for the second time in his career via\u00a0<a class=\"hawk-link-parsed\" href=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/live\/the-players-championship-leaderboard-2025-live-report\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/live\/the-players-championship-leaderboard-2025-live-report\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.golfmonthly.com\/news\/live\/the-players-championship-leaderboard-2025-live-report\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-custom-tracking-id=\"1166328610727929075\" data-hawk-tracked=\"hawklinks\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" data-label=\"a playoff against JJ Spaun\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a playoff against JJ Spaun<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR-320-80.jpg 320w\" alt=\"Rory McIlroy with trophy following his win at The Players Championship\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QQcnVEQDiymG4MvwQCu7NR.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>Rory McIlroy with trophy following his win at The Players Championship in 2025<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>On this occasion, the 35-year-old praised Scheffler\u2019s commitment to remaining the de facto best male player on the planet for such a long period of time as well as his methods.<\/p>\n<p>McIlroy said: \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to get to the No.1 spot in the world, and then it\u2019s another to stay there. I think to stay there almost requires more commitment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that\u2019s what Scottie does so well. He\u2019s so committed to his craft, and he\u2019s always working. He\u2019s always trying to get better, and we\u2019re all trying to get better to keep up with him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut he\u2019s obviously handled it amazingly well. He seems like he doesn\u2019t really care about anything else apart from just trying to be a good golfer and doing the best that he can. He\u2019s got a great attitude towards it.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK-320-80.jpg 320w\" alt=\"Scottie Scheffler with The Masters trophy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gFnvQwNViaLkam32rS7mzK.jpg\" \/><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>Scottie Scheffler with The Masters trophy in 2024<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><div class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Heading into The Masters this week \u2013 a little over 12 months after Scheffler began to put the hammer down on his rivals with one of the best seasons in modern history \u2013 it was McIlroy who was being backed for his best chance to date at completing the career Grand Slam after winning twice in confident style on the PGA Tour in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The four-time Major champion \u2013 now 35 years old \u2013 had watched and learned from Scheffler in 2024, in particular how he nonchalantly picked apart Augusta National with the minimum of fuss last April, and began plotting his way around in more disciplined fashion than he ever had before.<\/p>\n<p>While there was a slight stumble towards the end of round one, Thursday still featured plenty of Rory McIlroy 2.0. Then, a scintillating second day exhibited how McIlroy\u2019s new-found blend of skill, aggression and patience could result in relentless progress.<\/p>\n<p>An outrageous beginning to round three \u2013 with six threes in a row to start \u2013 set up another chance to go low, and despite a mini stumble around the turn, it was one that McIlroy did not pass up courtesy of a sublime six-under 66.<\/p>\n<p>With just 18 holes to play, a rejuvenated McIlroy has a golden chance to not only replicate Scheffler\u2019s extraordinary 2024 but also surpass it while achieving arguably his biggest career aspiration at the same time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ironically, it all started after\u00a0Rory McIlroy\u00a0offered out a friendly piece of advice to\u00a0Scottie Scheffler\u00a0at the Genesis Invitational in 2024. The Northern Irishman \u2013 himself the victim of the occasional putting &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=209"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":211,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/209\/revisions\/211"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topfeednews.it.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}