Rory McIlroy might be a tad jealous of the year Scottie Scheffler has just had but that doesn’t mean he can’t sing the praises of the world number one.
McIlroy spent the year chasing big wins in majors and came up short at the US Open in agonising fashion before his final attempt at The Open petered out to nothing.
Of course, McIlroy still had a very successful year in the main, winning a few events and coming within touching distance of an Olympic medal.
Scheffler, meanwhile, won numerous big events and picked up a second green jacket, as well as taking golf in Paris.
And while questions over McIlroy’s mentality continue to be discussed, McIlroy himself has lauded Scheffler for how he goes about his business on and off the golf course.
Rory McIlroy says Scottie Scheffler has figured something out in golf that few have
McIlroy was asked by Kyle Porter from Normal Sport about treading the line between caring a lot about his golf but at the same time, not letting it consume him.
And in answering the question, McIlroy picked out Scheffler as a fine example of how to be.
“Yeah … It’s a very fine line to walk. I care a lot, and I care a lot because I love the game of golf, and I care because honestly I love being who I am, and I would love to end my career with achieving everything that I want,” McIlroy said.
“So you have to walk this very fine line. I think Scottie does a really good job of it because he obviously cares a bunch, but he also is probably humble enough to know that it’s not all in his control. And I think his faith has a massive part to do with that.
“I think he, more than anyone right now that plays a game, has figured that out.
“That’s something that I’m always constantly trying to work on, is trying to have…Rotella and I talk about giving each shot and each day the same low level of importance. Like, it’s important, but it’s not everything. How can you give everything that same low level of importance? And that’s the balance that you’re trying to strike.”
Scheffler the man to beat in 2025
For anyone to be successful going into next year, they’re going to have to beat Scottie Scheffler.
It’s just how it is now.
If Scheffler plays remotely well on a week, he’s in with a chance of winning. If he plays very well, then he’s basically at prime Tiger Woods level and coming home with the win.
Put simply, McIlroy has to find a way to get back to the level he was during his best years and put Scheffler under pressure in those majors.
If he can do that, then he may just sneak one.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
