Scottie Scheffler wakened Sunday with a sensible probability to return from behind and win one other Masters. As soon as that was out of the image, he had no situation taking a supporting function in Rory McIlroy‘s large day.
As final yr’s champion at Augusta Nationwide, Scheffler did the honors of serving to McIlroy into the long-awaited green jacket in Butler Cabin.
“In that second, prefer it was such an emotional day for him, I type of simply tried to remain out of the way in which and mainly get the jacket on with out embarrassing him or myself,” Scheffler informed reporters Tuesday forward of this week’s RBC Heritage in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Scheffler described McIlroy as “a superb buddy,” and the duo has mixed to rule the PGA Tour in recent times. Scheffler stays the No. 1 participant within the Official World Golf Rating, a perch that after belonged to McIlroy, who gained 4 majors between 2011 and 2014 earlier than an almost 11-year drought.
So the 2 have views in widespread that few others may relate to.
“It was actually cool for me to have the ability to see as a result of I’ve — I haven’t got the understanding of what it is wish to be requested in regards to the profession Grand Slam, however I’ve a small understanding of what it is wish to be requested, ‘Hey, you completed this, however you have not completed that,'” Scheffler stated. “It may be very taxing on folks generally.
“It was cool to have the ability to see Rory get the job accomplished. Positively from the skin it regarded much more like reduction than something. Rory has completed every part within the recreation of golf, and that was actually the very last thing for him to perform. The man has gained FedEx Cup, The Gamers, all 4 majors. Possibly the one different factor could be the Olympics.”
Scheffler’s final-round 69 introduced him to eight below and a fourth-place finish. He recounted how he and caddie Ted Scott felt they have been within the combine till the 18th gap, with McIlroy struggling behind them and Englishman Justin Rose simply two photographs forward.
“I am sitting there on 18 fairway final week, and Rosie was at 10 below. I am considering to myself, ‘I am going at this pin. I’ll attempt to gap this,'” Scheffler stated. “After which he makes (birdie at 18), and you are like, ‘Effectively, match’s over. I misplaced.’ Did not win, misplaced, no matter.”
“I used to be taking a look at Teddy, and I am like, ‘All proper, Teddy, I suppose I’ll goal on the center of the inexperienced now.’ He is like, ‘Yeah, goal on the center of the inexperienced. Let’s get out of right here.'”
Scheffler, 28, gave his common reply when requested whether or not McIlroy’s win was inspiring to him.
“Was it fairly superior watching Rory win the Grand Slam? In fact it was,” Scheffler stated. “However so far as my life goes, I attempt to keep within the current. So, proper now, I am targeted on this week. And after I get dwelling subsequent week, I’ll be getting ready for my subsequent match.
“On the finish of the day, my motivation is all inside. Was it actually cool attending to see him accomplish that? Sure, after all. Profitable the profession Grand Slam, I believe that is one thing that any golfer would dream of, however on the finish of the day, I am simply making an attempt to get essentially the most out of myself.”
Scheffler’s current checklist of accomplishments features a dominant 2024 season with wins on the Masters, The Gamers Championship, the Tour Championship and 4 different signature occasions, together with the RBC Heritage.
Weary from his Masters win, and together with his first baby due any day, Scheffler got here to South Carolina and shot 19 below par — buoyed by a second-round 63 — to win the match by three strokes over Sahith Theegala.
Now, although, Scheffler is winless in 2025.
“Final yr, I got here right here fairly drained from the final week, and I did a superb job of managing myself and the way I received across the golf course,” Scheffler stated.
