What Rory McIlroy said about Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele just an hour before teeing off at The Players

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Rory McIlroy is due to get his opening round of The Players Championship underway and he’s given his honest thoughts on being paired up with both Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.

The PGA Tour have gone all out in offering their fans the best possible trio in the opening round at TPC Sawgrass and we could well see a golfing masterclass.

McIlroy, Scheffler, and Schauffele are the top three players in the world currently and the hope is that all three will push each other on to great golfing heights.

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However, for McIlroy, it’s not about being inspired and he’s admitted it’s all about staying in his own headspace.

Rory McIlroy shares his plans for playing alongside Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy

McIlroy was kind enough to give some of his time up to the Sky Sports team ahead of his teeing off at TPC Sawgrass and he was quickly asked about the group he’s in with.

McIlroy, though, insisted that he doesn’t think about it too much and is solely focussed on posting a good score.

‘Not really. You know I’ve – in a way it’s been nice because it’s been quite a while – I think we did it at the US Open last year,” McIlroy said on Sky Sports ahead of teeing off.

“Look, it’s a nice group to be a part of. You’d rather be a part of it than not be cos it means you’re doing something right but for the first two days of an event you have to put good numbers up and put yourself into a position for the weekend and Xander and Scottie are two of the guys I also really admire.

“I think it’s a good thing for the tournament and a good thing for the people watching but for me, just try and keep my head straight and shoot a couple of good scores.”

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McIlroy will want to show he’s the man to beat

All three players in this group are among the best to ever do it and it’s an exciting time to be a golf fan to see all three put in the same group.

However, while McIlroy is coy over the situation, there is absolutely no doubt he’ll want to make some sort of statement.

McIlroy will want to show the American pairing that he means business and is in good form.

On the reverse, if McIlroy has a stinker and Scheffler or Schauffele pull clear in round one, then it might well dent the Northern Irishman’s confidence and make the weekend a touch more difficult.

Nevertheless, this is an intriguing trio and one every golf fan will want to tune in to see.