"The commonality is the focus": Tiger Woods compares Scottie Scheffler's and Rory McIlroy's games

Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler, 2024 Hero World Challenge (Image via Getty)

Golf legend Tiger Woods, known for his attention to technique, recently weighed in on the playing styles of two of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Speaking on their methodologies, the 15-time major championship winner identified a critical similarity that aided in the success of the two golfers.

Scheffler, known for his consistent ball-striking, and McIlroy, renowned for his explosive drives and temp, bring different strengths to the course. However, Woods pointed out that their mental focus sets them apart from the rest of the field.

During a pre-tournament press conference at the ongoing PNC Championship, the 82-time PGA Tour winner said (via X @GolfChannel):

“Obviously with Scottie’s, what he does through the golf ball, and with his footwork or you have Rory, who has arguably the best finish of a swing in golf. It looks like a statue, right? They’re two totally different players. The commonality is, I think the focus. When you’re on the range and watching them hit golf balls or listening, more so listening to them hit golf balls, there’s a different sound to hit because they just don’t miss the middle of the face and I think obviously Scottie is not as long as Rory.”

Woods has spent a lot of time watching the two golfers rise up the ranks. While observing their swings, he made note of their contrasting techniques. The 2019 Masters winner highlighted Scheffler’s ability to consistently hit the center of the clubface and throw darts with his irons and wedges. He also stated that the World No. 1 has “an amazing” feel for the greens.

However, there’s one thing that sets Scheffler apart from McIlroy. The Sunday Red founder commented on the latter’s distance compared to the American. Woods said (via X @GolfChannel):

“He [Scheffler] can’t probably separate himself on a golf course like that with pure length, but his ball-striking, the amount of greens he hits, he just wears you out that way. And then he has an amazing pair of hands around the greens. If he putts awful, then he finishes in the top ten. He putts decent, he wins. He putts great, he runs away. So, he’s just that good a ball-striker and that good of an all-round player, and Rory, just the way he’s able to take over a golf course an overpower it. I kind of remember that back when I was younger.”

Here’s a look into the interview (via X @GolfChannel):

Tiger and Charlie Woods lead the 2024 PNC Championship

Tiger Woods and his son Charlie are tied for the lead at the ongoing PNC Championship at the iconic Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. The father-son duo share the position with teams Langer and Singh.

The 15-time major championship winner and his 15-year-old son fired up an incredible bogey-free opening round of 13 under par 59. Team Woods lead the field with the most number of birdies for the day with 13.

Here’s a look into their scorecard as they head into the second round on Sunday (via PGA Tour):