AUGUSTA, Ga. — A video recently surfaced resembling a `Saturday Night Live` sketch.
Tiger Woods acted as host. Behind him, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, both in identical sage green Nike T-shirts and white Nike hats, demonstrated their distinct approaches to hitting long iron shots. This video was a promotional piece by TaylorMade, their shared club sponsor.
McIlroy`s initial swing resulted in a flawless high fade with a 4-iron, landing softly within ten feet of the pin. Both Scheffler and Woods expressed admiration for the shot.
`I`ll just try to replicate that,` Scheffler joked before hitting his own shot, which landed about 20 feet from the hole. `I had to hit mine a bit lower trajectory because you hit it further than I do.`
Editor`s Picks
-
Masters tiers: Ranking all 95 players from favorites to hopefuls
-
Scottie Scheffler`s success on the course starts with his work off it
-
2025 Masters: How to watch, who can win, news, more
As the golfing world converges for the first major of the year, 28-year-old Scheffler, now Augusta`s celebrated champion, and McIlroy, still striving to avoid repeated disappointment, arrive as top contenders. Over the past year, they`ve collectively won 10 tournaments. Since 2022, both have achieved eight top-10 finishes in major championships.
While Scheffler boasts two major wins in this period, McIlroy is still seeking another. McIlroy`s consistent presence at the top of world rankings, even at 35 and in his 17th Masters, highlights his resilience. However, it also underscores his ongoing quest to end a major drought that has now lasted for 11 years and complete his career Grand Slam.
A decade prior, McIlroy`s 2015 Masters performance followed a familiar pattern: a slow beginning followed by a strong finish that ultimately fell short. That Sunday, McIlroy, wearing a bright green shirt, played alongside Woods, carding a 66 – tying the day`s lowest score – to finish at 12-under, six strokes behind the winner, then 21-year-old Jordan Spieth. He completed his final 45 holes at 15-under.
As McIlroy acknowledged the crowd with a sigh of disappointment, CBS commentator Jim Nantz remarked on the broadcast:
`He`ll have to wait another year,` Nantz commented. Later, after McIlroy`s television interview before Spieth`s final putt, he added, `[McIlroy and Spieth] will be ranked one and two in the world by day`s end, setting the stage for the sport`s future rivalry.`
In 2025, McIlroy is arguably playing the best golf of anyone. Although Spieth is no longer his primary rival, Scheffler has taken that position, dominating golf for the past three years to such an extent that the entire field acknowledges and admires his game. McIlroy has been both inspired and compelled to improve to keep pace.
`Seeing Scottie`s achievements… it has motivated us all to strive for better,` McIlroy admitted after his Players Championship victory, his second of the season. `I know I must improve to compete with him.`
`He has significantly more tournament wins and major victories than I do,` Scheffler noted at the Houston Open recently. `For a competitor like Rory, I believe he`s always seeking sources of motivation… especially as you get older.`
When questioned about his motivation, Scheffler explained it`s primarily internal, focusing on personal improvement rather than external comparisons. He doesn`t dwell on what other players are doing, preferring to concentrate on his own competitive drive.
`Is it strange for me?` Scheffler responded to the idea of McIlroy being motivated by him. `No, I don`t really consider it.`
Golf is unique, as Bryson DeChambeau pointed out, in that it`s more about competing against the course than against opponents. Some might argue it`s even more about competing against oneself. Team sports often emphasize player versus player rivalries to create drama and memorable moments.
However, golf, particularly at Augusta, diverges from this. Player matchups during the final stages are organic outcomes of tournament play, not pre-arranged events. Even pairing for the final round prioritizes standings over creating compelling pairings.
Therefore, genuine connections between players at specific moments are rare. Yet, this week, the link between Scheffler and McIlroy is undeniable. In recent months, both have frequently been asked about each other, responding with a blend of respect and playful envy. Their relationship isn`t defined by rivalry but by the juxtaposition of their successes.
`I don’t think I’ve ever seen a golfer play as many bogey-free rounds as Scottie,` McIlroy commented at Pebble Beach. `His consistency is remarkable. He consistently makes the right plays. While technical skill is crucial, his ability to avoid errors is key. Minimizing mistakes in golf simplifies the game considerably.`
`I`m just aiming to drive it 350 yards down the fairway like Rory,` Scheffler joked on Tuesday when asked what aspect of McIlroy`s game he admires.
In a more serious tone, Scheffler added, `I notice his ability to play freely and relaxed at times. It`s easy to see, but much harder to implement. It’s challenging to simply decide to play freely and then actually do it.`
Scheffler has made winning the Masters look straightforward in two of the last three years. Conversely, McIlroy, across 17 attempts, has experienced various forms of disappointment, highlighting the difficulty of winning this prestigious title.
`I understand the narrative and anticipation surrounding this tournament each year,` McIlroy stated. `I need to approach this tournament like any other on my schedule.`
While Scheffler dismisses questions about the pressure of defending his title, emphasizing that past wins offer no current advantage, McIlroy is constantly confronted with the weight of expectation. It`s present in every press conference, at Augusta`s entrance, and even in Tiger Woods` optimistic predictions. This pressure stems from his 11-year major drought, yet also from his consistently high level of play during those years.
`His consistent performance week after week, year after year, is truly impressive,` Scheffler remarked about McIlroy at the Players Championship. `Golf is a challenging sport with numerous obstacles like injuries and aging. Rory has maintained excellent health and consistently played top-level golf for a long time, which is far from easy.`
Whether McIlroy secures his fifth major this week or in the future, a time will come when Scheffler continues his career while McIlroy is no longer actively competing. For now, their unique dynamic is that Scheffler`s rise has pushed McIlroy to elevate his game, and McIlroy is positioned to challenge Scheffler in a way that few did last season, potentially disrupting his winning streak.
The Masters isn`t a head-to-head match, and McIlroy and Scheffler aren`t directly competing against each other this week. However, given their recent performances, it wouldn`t be surprising if, come Sunday, one of them emerges victorious, with the other playing a significant role in the narrative of that victory.
