Golf news as Scottie Scheffler rejects Rory McIlroy idea and PGA Tour star issues apology

The fallout from Rory McIlroy’s Masters win continues to be felt across the golf world – but Scottie Scheffler isn’t as influenced by the rest of us, while the PGA Tour looks to capitalise

The world of sport is still in awe after Rory McIlroy’s all-eclipsing win at the 2025 Masters – but golf waits for no-one. The PGA Tour calendar quickly turns to the RBC Heritage in South Carolina this weekend, even if many remain fixated on Sunday’s climactic finale at Augusta.

The manner in which McIlroy secured his first green jacket and finally completed the career Grand Slam will serve as inspiration to many. However, RBC Heritage defending champion Scottie Scheffler doesn’t appear to be among them.

Even the PGA Tour itself stands to make massive gains on the back of McIlroy’s first major win in more than a decade. However, others have had no problem getting back to the grind as Mirror US Sport delves into all of that and more in the latest golf headlines.

Scheffler not looking up to Rory

Ahead of his title defense at Harbour Town this weekend, two-time Masters champion Scheffler was unsurprisingly asked how McIlroy’s triumph would affect him. But despite being seven years McIlroy’s junior, the world No. 1 appeared to distance himself from the notion that his peer’s ground-breaking victory would offer him any motivation.

Asked whether he took inspiration from witnessing McIlroy’s magic finish in Georgia, Scheffler told one reporter: “The feeling you get from winning a tournament is a pretty special feeling. For me, I wished it lasts longer than it [does]. It doesn’t really last very long. Watching anybody accomplish anything in golf – it takes a lot of work.

“I don’t really think very often about career goals, or anything like that. I try to do my best to stay in the present. Was it pretty awesome watching Rory win the Grand Slam? Yeah, of course it was. But as far as my life goes, I try to stay in the present. And so right now, I’m focused on this week, and then when I get home next week, I’m gonna be preparing for my next tournament.”

Scheffler, 28, went on to say his motivation is “all internal”, suggesting it’s nothing personal against McIlroy serving as a stander-bearer. And given the success he has enjoyed on the Tour over the last three years or so, one can hardly blame him.