Scottie Scheffler has responded after Rory McIlroy alluded to the world number one’s game during last month’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
McIlroy cruised to victory on the Monterey Peninsula and looked near his brilliant best. Scheffler, however, struggled to get anything going.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was Scheffler’s first event of 2025 after the world number one missed the first month of the season through injury. The American ended the week in a tie for ninth, six shots back of McIlroy.
In fact, McIlroy spoke about Scheffler’s ability to avoid mistakes before the Signature Event and admitted he was looking to implement it within his game.
Now, ahead of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Scheffler has responded to McIlroy’s praise.
Scottie Scheffler responds to Rory McIlroy’s comments
Speaking during his pre-tournament press conference, Scheffler admitted he’s also looking to learn from his nearest competitors.
“I think we all can learn a lot from each other,” Scheffler said.
“I’ve been a guy that always has my eyes open when I’m watching guys. I’ve learned from Rory’s game over the years, and I’ve learned a lot from a lot of players out here. I think the talent level out here is very deep, and I think that’s what a lot of great players do: they’re able to learn from their mistakes, but they can also learn from what others do well.
“So Rory may have seen some stuff he liked in my game; I certainly like some stuff in his as well. And I felt like over the years, just being surrounded by a lot of professionals, that I’ve learned a lot from a lot of the guys out here, and there’s a lot of guys that do some stuff really well that I try to learn from.”
Scottie Scheffler’s first win of 2025 only a matter of time
Scheffler has been firmly in contention in two of his three events this year, and a first win feels imminent.
The world number one looked dialled during the final round of the Genesis Invitational and was unfortunate not to at least take the tournament to extra holes. Ludvig Aberg was just too good.
Stats-wise, Scheffler’s performance is impressive. The American is currently ranked third for total strokes gained and 12th in scrambling.
What’s more, Scheffler ranks 14th for putting average and is 30th for strokes gained on the greens. Previously, the flat stick has proved troublesome for the world number one.
If Scheffler can tidy up his usually metronomic driving (currently 50th on the PGA Tour), he will return to the winner’s circle very quickly.
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