We could be set for a blockbuster weekend of golf action with both Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler in contention at the Genesis Invitational.
As round three got underway, Scheffler was seven under with McIlroy just two back on five under and looking to push on to make Sunday even more interesting.
At world number one and world number three and with six majors between them, McIlroy and Scheffler have little to prove. In fact, the more prevalent question in the modern game is around who is the better player.
As it stands, McIlroy’s longevity means he can be judged over a longer period, while Scheffler’s brilliance from 2024 is fresh in the memory.
However, picking just one, Sky Sport’s David Howell has suggested one has an edge right now.
Scottie Scheffler told he’s currently just ahead of Rory McIlroy as the best player in the world
Speaking on Sky ahead of round three getting underway, multiple DP World Tour winner Howell was discussing the potential battle between Scheffler and McIlroy.
And according to Howell, it is McIlroy who has to step up to Scheffler’s level right now.
“Of course we want to see them go head to head and play some great golf for everybody. But if Scottie can keep his level he’s had the last year or so, then Rory’s got to come up and meet him,” Howell said.
“They play so differently, that’s the great thing about them. Rory’s got all that dynamism off the tee with a few mistakes scattered in there. Scheffler is just relentless in terms of fairways and greens, shaping the ball out towards the flags either way. Great short-game skills. They’re both great exponents of the short-game in fairness.
“They’re different in many ways, both brilliant at what they do but Scheffler has the edge at the moment. But I think two behind, McIlroy can overtake Scheffler this week.”
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Rory McIlroy told what he needs to do to catch Scottie Scheffler
With Scheffler being dominant over McIlroy since 2022 in terms of rounds led, it’s high time we got to see the duo competing almost head to head.
Of course, many on the European side of things want to see McIlroy back to his best and winning majors, which in turn will see him return to number one in the world.
Indeed, Dame Laura Davies has told McIlroy just what he needs to do to get there.
“Yeah make no mistake, Rory knows he’s dropped off the pace Scheffler and Schauffele have set but the win at the end of the year and the way he closed that tournament out, the shots he hit down the stretch, supposed dodgy wedges going close. He hit the one into 16 and the 17th, the lovely iron shot and that just builds confidence,” Davies said.
“Not that Rory needs confidence, but it doesn’t hurt any player at any stage of their career.
“And I just think that, coupled with what he did at Pebble, a course he’s not done well on, all that’s done is that’s made him think I’m going to get close to this guy now because I don’t like being the number three, I want to be number one again.”
McIlroy, then, has a big chance to prove his worth yet again and show that Scheffler is not simply going to get his own way throughout 2025.
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