Sky Sports pundit says Rory McIlroy will be angry after what he’s heard about Scottie Scheffler recently

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Rory McIlroy looked in fine form in round one of The Players today as he looked to send a message to world number one, Scottie Scheffler.

As we know, Scheffler cruised to a win at The Arnold Palmer Invitational last weekend. A change of putter – something McIlroy had recommended – seemed to do the trick for Scheffler, who dominated the field.

However, McIlroy has come roaring back with a fine display of his own in round one today. The Northern Irishman has carded an impressive seven under, putting himself well in the running.

And speaking on Sky Sports commentary during McIlroy’s round, pundit Nick Dougherty believes the narrative around Scottie Scheffler being unstoppable might be driving Rory’s form.

Rory McIlroy form down to comments on Scottie Scheffler, says Sky Sports pundit

Speaking on Sky Sports around halfway through McIlroy’s round, Dougherty made the point about McIlroy wanting to be named in and among the top players.

“Rory alluded to it himself, [saying] that we all knew that when he put it together with the putter he was going to be hard to beat, but everyone saying that if he putts well nobody can hang with him. Rory doesn’t strike me as a player who would accept that. He’s not going to like that at all. The golf he is playing so far today, certainly hangs with Scheffler,” Dougherty said.

At the time of writing, Scheffler was one over through is first hole but as we know, he has plenty of time and game to improve on that.

McIlroy is in contention at The Players already

It’s not too often we see Rory McIlroy deliver in the very first round of the big tournaments. Indeed, it’s something many believe has held him back in recent times as he’s had to chase on the weekend rounds.

However, he was imperious today. Yes, he found the water, much to some controversy at the time, on 18.

But on the whole, it was a round that showed he is playing some of his best golf this year and on this form, he’s as good as anyone in the world, including Scottie Scheffler.

Golf fans will be hoping Scheffler produces too. The thought of McIlroy and Scheffler battling it out over this weekend is enough to make even the most avid LIV fan tune in.