AUGUSTA, Ga. — A TaylorMade video presents a humorous scene: Tiger Woods hosting, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy demonstrating their different approaches to long iron shots while wearing matching Nike gear.
McIlroy executes a perfect high fade with a 4-iron, landing it softly near the pin, impressing Scheffler and Woods.
Scheffler jokingly aims to replicate McIlroy`s shot but notes his will be flatter due to McIlroy`s greater distance, hitting his own shot about 20 feet from the hole.
As the Masters approaches, Scheffler, Augusta`s recent champion, and McIlroy, seeking his elusive Masters victory, are the clear frontrunners. They`ve collectively won 10 events in the past year and both have consistently placed in the top 10 at majors since 2022.
Scheffler boasts two major wins in this period, while McIlroy is still chasing another. McIlroy`s sustained high ranking at 35, especially in his 17th Masters appearance, highlights his consistency but also the ongoing pressure of his major championship drought, now spanning 11 years and hindering his career Grand Slam.
Reflecting on the 2015 Masters, McIlroy showed his typical Augusta pattern: a slow start followed by a strong finish that ultimately fell short. He shot a 66 playing alongside Woods in the final round, finishing impressively but still six strokes behind the winner, Jordan Spieth. He played the last 45 holes remarkably at 15-under.
CBS commentator Jim Nantz remarked on McIlroy`s near-miss and the anticipated rivalry with Spieth, who were set to become the world`s top two.
Now in 2025, McIlroy is arguably playing his best golf. While Spieth is no longer his primary rival, Scheffler has become a dominant force, compelling the entire field, including McIlroy, to elevate their game.
McIlroy acknowledged Scheffler`s inspiring performance, stating he needs to improve to compete with him.
Scheffler, in turn, recognized McIlroy`s motivation stemming from his own success, especially considering McIlroy`s veteran status.
Scheffler claims his motivation is intrinsic, disregarding external comparisons and concentrating on his personal drive.
When questioned about McIlroy`s motivation drawn from him, Scheffler seemed unfazed, stating he doesn`t dwell on it.
Golf, unlike team sports, is often about competing against the course and oneself. While rivalries are inherent in sports, golf at Augusta minimizes direct player confrontations through its tournament structure.
The connection between Scheffler and McIlroy feels uniquely significant this week. They`ve frequently discussed each other with admiration and playful envy recently. Their relationship is not a rivalry but a consequence of their parallel successes.
McIlroy admires Scheffler`s bogey-free play, highlighting his consistency and strategic shot selection that simplifies the game.
Scheffler jokingly wishes for McIlroy`s long drives but acknowledges and admires McIlroy`s free and relaxed playing style, something Scheffler finds challenging to emulate.
Scheffler has made winning the Masters look easy in recent years, contrasting with McIlroy`s repeated disappointments at Augusta, illustrating the difficulty of winning this major.
McIlroy aims to approach this Masters like any other tournament, despite the external pressure and anticipation surrounding his quest for the green jacket.
Rory McIlory says he`s `keeping the head down` and ignoring the `narrative` about his previous shortcomings at the Masters.
While Scheffler dismisses pressure questions, McIlroy is constantly confronted with the narrative of his major drought, amplified by figures like Tiger Woods and his own consistent high-level play over the past 11 years without a major victory.
Scheffler acknowledges McIlroy`s impressive longevity and consistent performance in a challenging sport, noting the difficulty of maintaining such a high standard over many years.
Regardless of when McIlroy secures his fifth major, the current dynamic highlights Scheffler as the motivator McIlroy needed, and McIlroy potentially becoming the consistent challenger Scheffler lacked last season.
The Masters isn`t a direct duel, but given their recent form, it`s plausible that one of them will win, with the other playing a significant role in their story this Sunday.