Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler look set to hand the PGA Tour a significant boost after they came in for criticism for seemingly trying to put The Players Championship on the same level as a major.
The Players Championship is the PGA Tour‘s flagship event. And ahead of next month’s tournament, the tour released a trailer that ended with the tagline: ‘March is going to be major’.
Do you think Rory McIlroy will win a major in 2026?
His game is trending but winning majors is always an incredibly difficult thing to do…
The move definitely divided opinion. Brandel Chamblee bizarrely decided to put The Players above the four majors. Unsurprisingly, many hit back at Chamblee’s statement and the PGA Tour’s marketing.
But perhaps Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are on course to vindicate the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler may be on course for a Players Championship showdown
There have been some similarities between McIlroy and Scheffler at the start of this season. Neither has finished lower than 14th in six PGA Tour events between them.
The world number one did win The American Express. However, his form has been slightly perplexing of late, with Scheffler making three slow starts in a row.
McIlroy has not exactly been firing on all cylinders either. The Northern Irishman’s charge on Sunday at the Genesis Invitational only came after he had squandered so many opportunities on the greens on the front nine at Riviera.
It is ominous for the rest of the PGA Tour that neither Scheffler nor McIlroy seems to be anywhere near their best.
With that, there is reason to think that a showdown between the two best players in the world is on the cards for TPC Sawgrass.
McIlroy and Scheffler have dominated at TPC Sawgrass in recent years
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is likely to help both prepare for The Players. But it should be noted that the last three events at TPC Sawgrass have been won by either McIlroy or Scheffler. They have also won four of the last six completed events at the iconic venue.
Scheffler is second for strokes gained off the tee in 2026, while McIlroy is first for strokes gained approach.
Are you concerned about Scottie Scheffler right now?
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That does not seem to be the right way round, but it speaks to their respective greatness that they are dominating in various categories already.
Both players will be aware of what they can expect at TPC Sawgrass. And it should come as no surprise if they both put themselves near the top of the leaderboard.
It certainly will feel like a major if Scheffler and McIlroy are the two players vying for The Players Championship title.
Based on the evidence so far, it really should not be a surprise if we get that mouthwatering battle.
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