Rory McIlroy's Advice Sparked Scottie Scheffler's Turnaround
Rory McIlroy may regret giving advice that seemingly helped Scottie Scheffler transform into the world No. 1 golfer. The Grand Slam winner might be more cautious sharing tips with rivals moving forward.
Scottie Scheffler’s Rise
Scheffler, 29, turned professional in 2018 and started winning on the PGA Tour in 2022. However, it was not until 2024 that his performance sharply improved, revealing the dominant player fans see today.
- After a 51-week winless stretch on the PGA Tour, Scheffler won again in March 2024.
- He captured seven tournament victories in 2024, including his second Masters title.
- In 2025, he added six more wins, among them The Open and the PGA Championship.
Key to Success: Improved Putting
A major factor in Scheffler’s recent dominance has been a significant improvement in his putting.
McIlroy’s On-Air Suggestion
During the 2024 Genesis Invitational, McIlroy spoke on CBS with Amanda Balionis, offering Scheffler some advice about his equipment.
“So, I’d love to see Scottie try a mallet [putter],” said McIlroy. “But selfishly, for me, Scottie does everything else so well that he’s giving the rest of us a chance.”
Scheffler then went on to win the Genesis Invitational by five strokes, showing the advice may have had an impact.
Author’s Summary
McIlroy’s friendly tip on putting equipment coincided with Scheffler’s striking rise, highlighting how small advice can influence success in elite golf.