AUGUSTA, Ga. — Imagine a scene: Tiger Woods, the host, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy beside him, all in matching Nike gear, demonstrating their distinct approaches to hitting long irons. This scene, part of a TaylorMade promotional video, perfectly sets the stage for the Masters.
McIlroy effortlessly executes a high fade with a 4-iron, landing it softly near the pin. Scheffler, after admiring the shot, jokes about needing a flatter trajectory due to McIlroy`s greater distance, before hitting his own impressive shot.
As the Masters approaches, all eyes are on Scheffler, Augusta`s recent champion, and McIlroy, still chasing his elusive Masters victory. These top-ranked players are connected by their fierce competition. Together, they`ve claimed 10 tournament wins in the last year and consistently finished in the top 10 at major championships since 2022.
Scheffler boasts two major wins in this period, while McIlroy seeks another. McIlroy`s continued presence at the top of the rankings, even at his 17th Masters at age 35, speaks to his remarkable consistency. However, the pressure of an 11-year major championship drought and the uncompleted career Grand Slam remains.
A decade prior, the 2015 Masters saw a typical McIlroy performance at Augusta: a slow start followed by a strong finish, ultimately falling short. Wearing a bright green shirt, he played alongside Woods in the final round, shooting a 66 to finish six strokes behind the young winner, Jordan Spieth. His final holes were played at an incredible 15-under par.
As McIlroy acknowledged the crowd with disappointment, commentator Jim Nantz remarked on the broadcast, “He’ll have to wait another year.” Later, Nantz predicted McIlroy and Spieth would become the top two in the world, establishing a major rivalry.
Now in 2025, McIlroy is playing exceptional golf. While Spieth is no longer his primary rival, Scheffler has emerged as a dominant force, pushing McIlroy to elevate his game.
“Seeing what Scottie`s done… it inspired all of us to try to be better,” McIlroy admitted after a recent victory. “I know I have to be better to compete with him.”
Scheffler acknowledges McIlroy`s competitive drive, noting, “He’s got significantly more tournament wins than I do, he has more major wins… When you’re a competitive guy like Rory is, I think you’re always looking for some source of motivation… especially when you’re older.”
Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy after the first round of the 2024 Masters. Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Scheffler claims his motivation is internal, focused on personal improvement rather than external competition. “Is it weird for me?” Scheffler responded to the idea of McIlroy being motivated by him. “No, I don’t really think about it.”
Golf differs from team sports; as Bryson DeChambeau pointed out, the primary opponent is the course itself. Others argue the real challenge is internal. Unlike team sports with engineered rivalries, golf tournaments unfold naturally. Player pairings are based on scores, not predetermined rivalries.
The connection between McIlroy and Scheffler feels uniquely relevant this week. In recent months, both have frequently been asked about each other, responding with respect and playful envy. It`s not a rivalry, but a compelling dynamic fueled by mutual success.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a golfer play as many bogey-free rounds as Scottie,” McIlroy remarked. “He just doesn’t make mistakes. It’s so impressive… when you don’t make mistakes on the golf course, the game can become pretty easy.”
Scheffler jokingly responded, “I’m just trying to hit it 350 down the middle [like Rory].” More seriously, he admired McIlroy`s relaxed approach: “I feel like he does a really good job of playing free and playing loose at times… It’s a lot harder to go out there and say, `Hey, I’m going to play freely,` then actually do it.”
Scheffler has made winning the Masters look easy in recent years, while McIlroy`s repeated disappointments highlight the difficulty of winning this prestigious tournament.
“I understand the narrative and the noise… I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year,” McIlroy stated, aiming to manage expectations.
While Scheffler dismisses pressure questions, McIlroy confronts constant speculation. Even Tiger Woods believes a McIlroy Masters victory is inevitable. The 11-year major drought, contrasted with his consistent high-level play, amplifies the narrative.
“It’s very impressive, not only his week-to-week, but his longevity year after year,” Scheffler said about McIlroy. “Rory has stayed healthy for a long time. He’s played great golf for a long time, and it’s definitely not as easy as you would think it is.”
Whether McIlroy wins this week or later, Scheffler will eventually compete in a golf world without him. For now, their connection is unique: Scheffler motivates McIlroy`s continued improvement, and McIlroy poses a significant challenge to Scheffler`s dominance.
The Masters isn`t match play, but the performances of McIlroy and Scheffler suggest that one of them winning, with the other playing a key role in their story, wouldn`t be surprising come Sunday.
Jasper Hawthorne