Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy appear to have put their disagreement aside ahead of next week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Both golfers are teeing it up at the Genesis Scottish Open this week, with Scheffler breaking his usual rule of not playing the week before a major.
Scheffler's Change of Heart
Scheffler, the defending Open champion, had previously stated: 'I typically don't love playing the week before a major.' However, he decided to compete at The Renaissance Club this weekend, despite failing to make the cut. The American's decision to play suggests he has set aside his grievances about featuring in an event before a major.
In 2025, McIlroy expressed his support for playing before a major but not immediately after, differing from Scheffler's view. 'Before, I'm all for. After, I wouldn't — I'm not a huge fan of it, but there's only so many weeks in the year. I really like playing the week before if it makes sense,' McIlroy said.
McIlroy's View on Preparation
McIlroy, who won the Scottish Open in 2023, believes the event is ideal preparation for The Open. 'This, to me, is the blueprint of what it can be and what can happen. This is a perfect lead-in to The Open Championship,' he said. The Northern Irish star added that playing links golf helps his instincts come back, especially with the wind and turf conditions.
Regarding Royal Birkdale, which last hosted The Open in 2017, McIlroy noted: 'Obviously Birkdale is a little bit different from what it was back in 2017. Getting an early look at new holes just takes pressure off the start of the week.'
Scheffler's Scheduling Philosophy
Scheffler explained his approach to scheduling: 'If y'all were to walk with me each day of the tournament and see what we have to do in order to play one week, having to do that four weeks in a row... I wouldn't be able to perform my best.' He added, 'So when I show up at a tournament I want to be able to give it my best and I have to set up my schedule in a certain way.'
Looking Ahead to The Open
McIlroy, who won The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014, is excited for the challenge at Birkdale. 'Always good to be back. It [Scotland] is not home, but feels like home in a way,' he said. Both players will now focus on The Open, which begins next week at Royal Birkdale.
