AUGUSTA, Ga. – A video showcasing Tiger Woods alongside Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy might seem like a comedy sketch. In this TaylorMade promotional video, Woods plays host as Scheffler and McIlroy, both in matching Nike gear, demonstrate their unique techniques for hitting long iron shots.
McIlroy begins with a flawless high fade using a 4-iron, landing softly near the pin. Both Scheffler and Woods are impressed. Scheffler jokes about trying to replicate McIlroy`s shot, then hits his own, landing about 20 feet away, adding with a laugh that he needed to hit it flatter because McIlroy hits it further.
As the Masters Tournament approaches, Scheffler, the 28-year-old champion beloved at Augusta, and McIlroy, still pursuing his elusive victory, are the clear frontrunners. These top-ranked players have dominated the sport recently, winning 10 events in the past year. Since 2022, both have consistently finished in the top 10 at major championships, with eight such finishes each.
While Scheffler has secured two major wins in this period, McIlroy is still chasing another. McIlroy`s continued presence at the top rankings, even at 35 and in his 17th Masters, highlights his remarkable consistency. However, it also brings attention to his ongoing major championship drought, now entering its eleventh year, and his incomplete career Grand Slam.
Looking back ten years to the 2015 Masters, McIlroy followed a familiar pattern at Augusta: a slow start followed by a strong finish that ultimately fell short. On that Sunday, wearing a bright green shirt, he played alongside Woods and shot a 66, tying for the day`s lowest score. He finished at 12-under, six shots behind the winner, Jordan Spieth, who was just 21. Over his final 45 holes, McIlroy played 15-under.
As McIlroy acknowledged the crowd with disappointment, CBS commentator Jim Nantz remarked on air that McIlroy would have to wait another year. Later, in a TV interview before Spieth`s final putt, Nantz predicted that McIlroy and Spieth would soon be the top two players in the world, establishing a major rivalry for the sport`s future.
Now in 2025, McIlroy is playing exceptional golf. While Spieth is no longer his primary rival, Scheffler has taken that position, becoming incredibly dominant over the past three years. His play has pushed the entire field, including McIlroy, to improve.
McIlroy admitted after winning the Players Championship, his second win of the season, that Scheffler`s success motivates him to be better. Scheffler himself acknowledged McIlroy`s competitive drive, noting that McIlroy, as an experienced player, is always looking for motivation, especially when competing against younger stars.
Scheffler claims his motivation is internal, focusing on his own game rather than comparing himself to others. He seemed unfazed by McIlroy`s comments about being motivated by Scheffler’s performance.
Bryson DeChambeau pointed out that golf is unique because players primarily compete against the course itself. Others argue that the biggest challenge is internal. This contrasts with team sports, which often emphasize player-versus-player rivalries to create excitement. While rivalries can create compelling narratives and great performances, golf, particularly at the Masters, is different.
Player pairings in golf tournaments are determined by scores, not by creating compelling matchups. It`s rare for a connection between two players to feel as significant as it does between Scheffler and McIlroy this week. Over recent months, both have consistently been asked about each other, responding with respect and a hint of envy. It`s not a rivalry, but their parallel success has created an interesting dynamic.
McIlroy has noted Scheffler`s remarkable consistency in avoiding bogeys, emphasizing how Scheffler`s mistake-free play makes the game seem easy. In jest, Scheffler said he wishes he could drive the ball 350 yards down the middle like McIlroy. More seriously, Scheffler admires McIlroy`s ability to play freely and loosely, something Scheffler finds challenging to emulate.
Scheffler has made winning the Masters look easy in two of the last three years. In contrast, McIlroy, with 17 attempts, has experienced repeated disappointment, highlighting the difficulty of winning this prestigious title.
McIlroy recognizes the anticipation and pressure surrounding his Masters appearances and emphasizes the need to treat this tournament like any other event on his schedule.
While Scheffler dismisses questions about the pressure of defending his title, McIlroy acknowledges the constant narrative surrounding his Masters quest. Even Tiger Woods has stated it’s only a matter of time before McIlroy wins a Masters. This pressure stems from his 11-year major drought, despite his consistent high-level play.
Scheffler praised McIlroy`s consistent high performance over many years, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining such a level in golf due to factors like injuries and aging. He highlighted McIlroy`s enduring health and consistently excellent play.
Whether McIlroy wins a major this week or in the future, Scheffler will continue his career, and there will be a time when McIlroy is no longer actively competing. For now, their unique dynamic is that Scheffler has pushed McIlroy to improve, while McIlroy is now positioned to challenge Scheffler`s dominance, creating a compelling storyline for this Masters. Although the Masters isn`t match play, and they aren`t directly competing against each other, their recent performances suggest that one of them might win on Sunday, with the other playing a significant role in the narrative.
