Rory McIlroy states the skill that he’s trying to copy from Scottie Scheffler this year

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Rory McIlroy is well in the mix to win the AT&T at Pebble Beach this weekend and if he’s to do so, he’s admitted he needs to channel his inner Scottie Scheffler.

McIlroy produced a fine round in treacherous conditions to card a seven under and go into the final round just a single shot off of leader, Sepp Straka.

Indeed, McIlroy admitted he changed tactics with his caddy when the weather turned and it was no surprise to a player from Europe flourish in the wind and rain.

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However, when it comes to maintaining that form and ultimately winning events, McIlroy has conceded he needs to be a bit more like Scottie Scheffler.

Rory McIlroy admits what he wants to do to be more like Scottie Scheffler

Speaking to the media in the aftermath of his third round at Pebble Beach, McIlroy was questioned on whether he felt it was one of his best ever rounds.

And while McIlroy agreed to an extent, he referenced world number one Scottie Scheffler when explaining what he’s trying to achieve in 2025.

“Yeah, probably not as good as his final round at the Irish Open, but it was pretty good. Yeah, look, I played well. I didn’t make any mistakes,” McIlroy replied.

“One of the things I really — I 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.”

Rory McIlroy is a huge fan of Scottie Scheffler

At the top end of any sport, the respect is always there between the big names and it’s clear as day that Rory McIlroy has huge respect for Scheffler.

Indeed, so much is that respect, that McIlroy recently suggested Scheffler is better than Tiger Woods when it comes to being error free.

“I’ve never, this is anyone, this is Tiger, this is in the history of golf. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a golfer play as many bogey-free rounds as Scottie. He just doesn’t make mistakes. It’s so impressive,” McIlroy said.

“He plays the right shot at the right time over and over and over again. You obviously need the technical ability to be able to do that, but he doesn’t make mistakes. And when you don’t make mistakes on the golf course, the game can become pretty easy.

“So super impressive. If he continues to do that, he’s going to be the dominant force that he was last year and the year before that.”

If McIlroy can indeed take some of that into his own game, then major number five will arrive in no time and he’ll be a force to be reckoned with once again.