Rory McIlroy disagrees with Scottie Scheffler and predicts where he’ll finish in the Tour Championship standing
Scottie Scheffler ruffled a few feathers after making a controversial statement on the Tour Championship, and now Rory McIlroy has had his say.
The world number three is hunting his fourth FedEx Cup title after edging out back in 2022 at East Lake.
Ahead of this week’s , Scheffler claimed the current format doesn’t reward those who have won frequently throughout the season. Currently, the world number one will start with just a two-shot lead in Atlanta.
, however, feels the current format is perfect in order to provide the most excitement.
Rory McIlroy disagrees with Scottie Scheffler’s FedEx Cup claim
Photo by James Gilbert/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Speaking during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday, McIlroy claimed the current system provides entertainment right up to the season’s closing holes.
“I love this format because if it wasn’t this format, none of us would have a chance against Scottie because he’s so far ahead! So I really like this format! He’s so far ahead, and you don’t expect Scottie to finish outside the top five either,” the Northern Irishman explained.
“But I think it makes the Tour Championship more exciting from a consumer standpoint.”
McIlroy did accept that the system isn’t particularly fair on , with the world number one only given a slender advantage.
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“Is it the fairest reflection on who has been the best player of the year? Probably not,” McIlroy added. “But at this point, we are not in for totally fair; we are in for entertainment and trying to put on the best product we possibly can.”
“The first year that it was the starting strokes and Tour Championship in 2019, I was able to win that one and in 22 again. I like this format; it feels like it’s a bit of a reset after the regular season. Everyone is not quite on a level playing field, but it feels a bit more like that.”
Rory McIlroy looking for FedEx Cup number four at East Lake
McIlroy is looking for a historic fourth FedEx Cup title and will be looking to replicate his feat from two years ago.
Scheffler, who is one of the , looked a shoo-in to secure his first Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, only for the Northern Irishman to pip him on the 72nd hole.
The world number one’s frustrations probably stem from his inability to get over the line at East Lake. For whatever reason, Scheffler has failed to hit top form in Atlanta.
The two-time Masters champion simply has to rectify this if he wants to prevent McIlroy or Xander Schauffele from beating him to golf’s most lucrative prize.