27 March 2024 , 00:00
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Scottie Scheffler has been warned of the threat posed by Rory McIlroy, as the two leading players in the world head into next month's Masters as the tournament favourites.
Scheffler is unsurprisingly the man at the top of the betting, with the American showing exactly why he is world No. 1 in recent weeks. Earlier this month the 27-year-old won back-to-back PGA Tour events, winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill followed by the Players Championship a week later.
His Players victory at TPC Sawgrass was an historic one, as Scheffler became the first player to defend the famous crown thanks to a superb eight-under-par 64 in his final round - all while nurturing a neck strain.
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In the aftermath the American has been heavily backed to win his second green jacket at Augusta next month amid his superb start to the season. He will no doubt have one eye on McIlroy though, who will be gunning for his first Masters victory in a bid to finally complete the career Grand Slam.
Reminding Scheffler of the threat of McIlroy, three-time DP World Tour winner Nick Dougherty told Sky Sports: "[Scheffler] could go on an unstoppable run here where completely separates himself from the rest, much as Tiger [Woods] did in his prime.
"However, the world of golf as it is, expect Rory McIlroy to try and rebound. We know there is a huge narrative at the Masters as it always is, certainly from a British and Irish interest. Can he be the next guy to complete the career Grand Slam?
Scottie Scheffler won the Masters in 2022 (Getty Images)"I always back him, I always end up being disappointed at the end of that endeavour, but I'm doing it again. He has the game. His form isn't exactly where he would want it coming into this year's Masters, but we know what he is capable of... maybe this is the year for him."
As mentioned by Dougherty, Scheffler has recently been compared to the great Tiger Woods on the back of his recent showings. The man himself however is clearly keeping his feet firmly on the ground, having batted off comparison to his game and that of the 82-time PGA Tour winner in his prime.
"Anytime you can be compared to Tiger I think is really special, but, I mean, the guy stands alone I think in our game. He really does," Scheffler claimed after his latest victory.
"This is my eighth tournament win now out here and I've tied him in Players Championships. Outside of that, I got 14 more majors and 70-some PGA Tour events to catch up. I think I'm going to stick to my routine and just continue to plot along, try and stay as even-keeled as I can.
"We all idolise Tiger. He's been our guy. Watching what he did in special moments over the years is crazy to watch. I've learned a lot just from being around him. We're just very thankful that he's still a part of our sport."