Scottie Scheffler looked just like his old self last week in Memphis as he recorded his second PGA Tour win of the season at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Scheffler won the FedEx St. Jude by a whopping eight strokes as he cemented his position as the best golfer in the professional game.
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Before the tournament in Memphis, the 30-year-old had been incredibly frustrated by his lack of wins this season, having finished runner-up five times.
It’s fair to say that Scheffler has still been the dominant player on the PGA Tour this year.
However, Scottie Scheffler’s win at the FedEx St. Jude came at just the right time after so many near misses this season.
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It was exactly what he needed as he looks to kick on and finish the 2026 PGA Tour season strongly.
The world number one’s victory was also exactly what Rory McIlroy and the PGA Tour needed.
Scottie Scheffler’s FedEx St. Jude win was just what Rory McIlroy and the PGA Tour needed
McIlroy played with Scheffler during the first two rounds at TPC Southwind, and the world number one beat the Northern Irishman by 15 strokes during the first 36 holes of the tournament.
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The American ended up beating McIlroy by 25 shots by the time the tournament had finished.
The 37-year-old was extremely rusty entering the week.
In fact, McIlroy had not swung a club since The Open Championship three weeks prior.
So the six-time major champion would not have expected too much from his game.
However, Scheffler beating him by 25 strokes would have seriously hurt his pride.
McIlroy got a close-up view of Scheffler’s brilliance on Friday when the American posted a sublime 61 in Memphis.
The man from Holywood, Northern Ireland, has been struggling badly with a lack of motivation since his win at The Masters back in April.
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Before teeing it up at TPC Southwind, he had played only six PGA Tour events since his Augusta National triumph, and only three of them were non-majors.
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The PGA Tour powers that be are surely not happy that McIlroy has barely played this season. Alongside Scheffler, the reigning Masters champion is the poster boy for the PGA Tour.
That’s why Scheffler’s win in Memphis could end up being such a big positive for not only McIlroy, but the PGA Tour as well.
Rory McIlroy will be fully aware that the reduced schedule he has played this year is simply not conducive to winning the very biggest golf tournaments.
And the PGA Tour would obviously love him to play in more than the 12 events he has entered so far this season.
Scottie Scheffler’s comments in 2025 will be poignant to Rory McIlroy
Scheffler actually spoke about being motivated by McIlroy’s success just after The 2025 Masters.
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“I think any time somebody has beaten any of us out here, I think we’re all — I guess you could say inspired, but I think we’re all fired up to come out here and compete,“ Scheffler said.
“I think that’s what’s great about our game. Week in and week out, we get to come out here and compete.
“Rory has been playing some tremendous golf this year. The career grand slam was really special to watch. I was glad to be able to be there for it. I think any time you’re getting beat, you’re always fired up just a little bit extra to go out and practice. I feel like my game is trending in a good direction. I’m excited to start the rest of the season.“
Rory McIlroy clearly needs to regain his motivation and passion for competing. Watching Scottie Scheffler absolutely dominate the field at the FedEx St. Jude Championship would surely have put some fire back in McIlroy’s belly.
And that can only be a good thing for the PGA Tour.
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