Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy stated Scottie Scheffler’s ability to keep bogeys off the scorecard is the reason why he’s the world number one.
McIlroy and Scheffler are currently paired together in the same group at the Masters, with the American opening with an impressive 66 in round one.
This follows a great start to year for the current world number one who has already won twice in 2024, and was the hot favourite heading into the first Major of the year.
“Scottie does such a good job of… it doesn’t look like it’s 6-under par, and then at the end of the day it’s 6-under par,” McIlroy said after his opening round at Augusta. “He’s just so efficient with everything.
“If you look at Scottie compared to the rest of the field, the amount of bogey-free rounds he plays and he shoots is phenomenal.
“That’s the secret to winning major championships and winning big-time golf tournaments is more limiting the mistakes rather than making a ton of birdies.
“I made three bogeys today (in round one), which is fine out there in these conditions, but just need to tidy it up a little bit to try to keep up with him.”
McIlroy, Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in group 29 are set to tee off in round two at 1:48pm EDT / 9.48pm local UAE time.