Rory McIlroy’s Birthday Special: Scottie Scheffler Praises What Makes Him Truly Different

McIlroy’s combination of power and precision allows him to navigate courses in ways most players cannot.

He proved it again last month by winning The Masters for the second year in a row and became only the fourth player in history to win the green jacket in back-to-back years, joining Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, and Jack Nicklaus.

He is currently ranked No. 2 in the world and has played only seven tournaments in 2026. At the same point last season, he had played 10 tournaments.

Scheffler Sees Rory McIlroy and His Work Ethic Up Close Every Week

The driving is one thing, but what Scheffler kept returning to was something less visible.

“It’s hard to have an understanding of what it takes to remain at the top for as long as he has when you don’t see it each week,” Scheffler said. “Rory is one of those guys who checks the box each week. He’s a guy that I always see in the gym; I always see him in the practice facility.”

Scheffler’s perspective comes from observing McIlroy’s daily routine in the gym and on the practice range.

“When he won his first major championship to now, I think it’s been 15 years,” Scheffler said. “For him to still be at the top of the game for this long is quite impressive.”

McIlroy tees up at the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte this week, the course where he won his first PGA Tour title back in 2010. The game has changed plenty since then. His place in it has not.