Rory McIlroy reveals why Scottie Scheffler is better than him, atop golfing world
Rory McIlroy recently shared his thoughts on why Scottie Scheffler has risen to the top of the golfing world, acknowledging that Scheffler’s exceptional performance sets him apart from the rest of the PGA Tour. McIlroy, who had a solid season but felt he left room for improvement, praised Scheffler for his ability to consistently outplay…
Rory McIlroy recently shared his thoughts on why Scottie Scheffler has risen to the top of the golfing world, acknowledging that Scheffler’s exceptional performance sets him apart from the rest of the PGA Tour. McIlroy, who had a solid season but felt he left room for improvement, praised Scheffler for his ability to consistently outplay his competitors.
“Scottie makes more birdies than I do and fewer bogeys,” McIlroy remarked after his Sunday round. “That adds up to him being a little bit better right now. One thing I’ve always admired about Scottie is the number of bogey-free rounds he plays.”
McIlroy highlighted that over the past few years, Scheffler has consistently delivered under-par rounds without bogeys, making his performances look effortless and steady. “When you don’t make a lot of bogeys, it forces the rest of the field to do something special just to keep up,” McIlroy added.
Scheffler’s ability to avoid bogeys is impressive—he ranked second in bogey avoidance after the BMW Championship, trailing only Xander Schauffele. Throughout the 2024 season, Scheffler recorded just 133 bogeys, a testament to his precision and consistency.
Scheffler’s rise began in 2022 when he transitioned from a winless golfer on the PGA Tour to an accomplished champion. Since then, he has amassed 13 victories, including two major championships, an Olympic gold medal, back-to-back Players Championship titles, and four wins in the eight Signature Events. He currently leads the PGA Tour in scoring average, with an incredible 68, and averages about 4.82 birdies per round, making his scoring average the lowest in PGA Tour history.
Scheffler entered both the 2022 and 2023 Tour Championships as the top-ranked player in the FedEx Cup standings. While McIlroy and Viktor Hovland ultimately won those events, Scheffler’s dominance throughout the seasons remained undeniable.
Reflecting on what makes Scheffler so exceptional, McIlroy emphasized his consistency and composure. “His attitude and demeanor on the course are remarkable, no matter his position on the leaderboard. Watching how he manages himself is amazing,” McIlroy said. “When we look back on 2024, it will stand out as one of the best individual years a player has had in a long time.”
In 2024, Scheffler’s achievements were indeed extraordinary—he won seven of the 19 events he entered, secured two runner-up finishes, had 16 top-10 finishes, and 17 top-25 finishes, and did not miss a single cut all season. His remarkable consistency has set him apart, solidifying his place at the pinnacle of professional golf.
