Schauffele responds to McIlroy’ ‘stop bouncing around with your opinion’

Xander Schauffele Questions Rory McIlroy’s Shifting Views on Olympic Golf

Xander Schauffele expressed surprise at Rory McIlroy’s shifting opinions after learning the Northern Irishman had called the state of golf “a s*** show” while also declaring himself a fan of the Olympic Golf Tournament.

Both Schauffele and McIlroy failed to secure a medal at Le Golf National. Schauffele, the defending champion, was especially disappointed after briefly leading in the final round. He played the last 11 holes in 4-over par, finishing T9, seven shots behind winner and fellow American Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler, the World No.1, secured victory with a joint course-record 62, narrowly defeating Team GB’s Tommy Fleetwood by one shot. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama finished third, and France’s Victor Perez narrowly missed the podium, ending in solo fourth.

McIlroy made a late surge with five straight birdies from the 10th but faltered with a double-bogey on the par-4 15th, finishing T5, four shots off the lead and two shy of the podium.

When asked about his second Olympic experience after the round, McIlroy reflected on his changing perspective. He had previously dismissed the Olympics as “not the pinnacle” for golfers, preferring to focus on traditional tournaments like the Claret Jug and Green Jacket. However, he now believes Olympic Golf could rival the Ryder Cup, describing his week in Paris as “amazing.”

McIlroy’s comment about the current state of golf raised eyebrows. He criticized the division in professional golf between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf League, calling it a “s*** show.” The PGA Tour is negotiating a commercial deal with LIV Golf’s backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, but the future remains uncertain.

McIlroy, once a strong critic of LIV Golf, appeared to soften his stance after conversations with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Yet, he criticized LIV Golf players who missed the Olympics, saying, “You knew what you had to do.”

Schauffele, who recently overtook McIlroy as World No.2 after winning his second major at The Open, responded to McIlroy’s comments with some skepticism. While he understood McIlroy’s perspective, he noted McIlroy’s tendency to “bounce around with his opinion.”

“He [Rory] kind of bounces around with his opinion, you know,” Schauffele said. “He said that he — he’s reverted on that topic. But yeah, I mean, there’s something to be said about it. There’s a lot of heart and patriotism. You’re proud of what you’re doing and the colors you’re wearing. That’s probably what he’s reverting to.”

Schauffele acknowledged the unique atmosphere of the Olympics, contrasting it with Tokyo 2021. “It is a different feeling, and this year was incredible,” he added. “It was much closer to what is a real Olympics experience.”

Schauffele and McIlroy will next compete at the FedEx St Jude Championship, the start of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Scheffler, who has won six PGA Tour titles this season, is the runaway leader and added the Olympic title as his seventh win of 2024. McIlroy, a three-time FedEx Cup champion, aims to add another title, while Schauffele and Scheffler seek their first.

The Tour Championship winner will be crowned FedEx Cup champion and receive a $25 million first prize.