Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are unequivocally the two biggest stars on the PGA Tour.
As a result, there is always more attention on Scheffler and McIlroy than there is on any other PGA Tour player.
The current world numbers one and two have huge followings and are unquestionably two of the most popular players in the sport.
Is Scottie Scheffler more likely to end up with 50 PGA Tour wins and 10 majors or 25 wins and 5 majors?
Have we already seen the best of Scottie Scheffler?
That is mostly due to the incredible success that both players have achieved throughout their careers so far.
McIlroy’s win at the Masters in 2025 motivated Scheffler to work even harder on his game, and the American went on to win seven of his next 14 PGA Tour events.
The 29-year-old from Dallas, Texas, now has 20 PGA Tour wins to his name, including four major championships.
Meanwhile, the Northern Irishman has won 29 times on the PGA Tour, and boasts five majors, as well as being only one of six men to have won the career Grand Slam.
However, in spite of their undoubted brilliance on the golf course, both players have let themselves down in one area.
In fairness to Scheffler, he has only fallen foul of the unwritten rule once, unlike McIlroy…
PGA Tour must act after Scottie Scheffler emulates Rory McIlroy in Phoenix
Scheffler put in a shocking performance on day one of the WM Phoenix Open, certainly by his high standards.
The 29-year-old looked totally lost with his swing out on the golf course.
It was only the second time over the last five PGA Tour seasons that Scheffler had begun a tournament by making six bogeys or worse in the first round.
He was visibly frustrated out on the golf course and that is putting it politely.
How many times do you think Scottie Scheffler will win in 2026?
Over or under 4.5…
In fact, it’s fair to say that Thursday at TPC Scottsdale was the most animated Scheffler has ever been during a tournament.
He was so frustrated that after his round, he declined to speak to the media – something that he hardly ever does, if at all.
McIlroy caused huge controversy in 2025, when he refused to speak with the press after six consecutive rounds in major championships.
Numerous other players did the same thing after poor rounds, including the likes of Shane Lowry and Collin Morikawa.
Now that Scheffler has followed suit, the PGA Tour must take action.
The PGA Tour have a responsibility to address Scheffler and McIlroy decisions
A rule change surely has to be brought into play now.
The PGA Tour is nothing without the fans and Brian Rolapp should implement new guidelines regarding players’ media requirements.
It’s too easy for players to duck out of speaking to the press after poor rounds right now. When the best players in the world perform poorly, golf fans are desperate to hear what they have to say.
Scheffler’s round was so unusually poor in Phoenix on Thursday, but golf fans were denied the chance to gain an insight into why he was so off the boil.
Professional golfers lap up the adulation when they’re playing well, so it’s only right that they address the media when they’ve played poorly.
Also, Scheffler and McIlroy are idols to millions of golfers around the globe, especially the younger generation.
Integrity, honor and sportsmanship combine to form the bedrock of the professional game.
What message does it send out when the likes of Scheffler and McIlroy do not speak to the media after playing poorly?
It’s certainly not a great look and the PGA Tour must take action by making post-round press conferences obligatory rather than voluntary.
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