Scotty Schaeffler woke up on Sunday with a realistic chance to come from behind and win another master. After that was removed from the photo, he had no issues playing a supportive role on Rory McIlroy’s big day.
As last year’s champion at Augusta National, Schaeffler praised McIlroy for supporting the Butler Cabin’s long-awaited green jacket.
“As if it was a very emotional day for him at that moment, I was just trying to get out of the way and basically just try to wear a jacket without being embarrassed about him or myself,” Schaeffler told reporters on Tuesday ahead of this week’s RBC heritage on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Schaeffler described McIlroy as a “good friend,” and the duo paired it up in recent years to dominate the PGA Tour. Schaeffler is the number one player in the official world golf rankings and a perch that once belonged to McIlroy, winning four majors between 2011 and 2014 before nearly 11 years of drought.
Therefore, these two have a perspective that has little to do with others.
“It was really cool to see because I have it. I don’t understand what it’s like to be asked about career grand slams, but I have a bit of understanding what it’s like to be asked about. “It can sometimes be very taxable to people.
“It was cool to be able to see Rory get the job done. It definitely looked like a relief from the outside more than anything. Rory achieved everything in the game of golf, and that was really the last thing he accomplished.
Schaeffler’s final round of 69 gave him an 8-under and a fourth-place finish. He recounted how he and Caddy Ted Scott felt they were in the mix up to hole 18.
“I was sitting on the 18 fairway last week and Rosie was under 10. “I’m going to go to this pin, I’m going to drill a hole in this,” Schaeffler said. “Then he makes (18-year-old birdie). You’re like, ‘Well, the tournament is over. I lost.’ I didn’t win.
“I was looking at Teddy, and I was like, ‘It’s okay, Teddy, I think I’m going to aim for the middle of the green right now,’ he said, ‘Yeah, aim for the middle of the green.”
Schaeffler, 28, gave him his usual answer when asked if McIlroy’s victory was inspiring him.
“Was it really great to see Rory win a Grand Slam? Of course it was,” Schaeffler said. “But as long as my life goes on, I try to stay in the present. So now I’m focusing on this week, and when I get home next week, I’m going to prepare for the next tournament.
“At the end of the day, all my motivations are internal. Was it really cool to see him achieve that? Of course, he won a career grand slam.
Schaeffler’s current achievement list includes the dominant season of 2024 with victory in four other signature events, including the Masters, Player Championship, Tour Championships and RBC Heritage.
Tired from his Masters victory, his first child arrived at any time, and Schaeffler came to South Carolina and shot 19, supported by 63 in the second round – won the tournament with three strokes via Sahis Tegala.
But now Schaeffler won’t win in 2025.
“Last year, I was pretty tired here last week. I did a good job managing myself and how I avoided the golf course,” Schaeffler said.