Rory McIlroy tournament snub backfires as he pays the price
Scottie Scheffler has surged to the top of the PGA Tour's earnings list, overtaking Rory McIlroy after a stunning victory at the Memorial Tournament on Sunday. The win pocketed Scheffler a hefty $4million, boosting his 2025 earnings to an eye-watering $14.6 million, just ahead of McIlroy's $14 million.
The American golfer has been on fire this season, participating in 12 events and earning over $1m in five of them.
His latest prize from the Memorial Tournament is his largest yet, eclipsing the $3.4m he won at the PGA Championship and significantly outstripping the $1.8m from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and the $1m from the Masters. Fellow competitor Sepp Straka, who finished just behind Scheffler at Muirfield Village, lauded his competitive spirit: "He loves competition, and he doesn't like giving up shots," Straka observed.
"The guy is relentless."
Scheffler's recent triumph also marks a remarkable streak, with back-to-back wins at the Memorial - a feat only Tiger Woods had managed before - highlighting his exceptional form. His dominance extends to last month's win at Quail Hollow, cementing his status as the golfer everyone is keeping their eyes on, reports the Express.
Scheffler's triumph marks his fifth title in a $20m event and his third win in four starts this season, matching McIlroy for the most victories in 2025. McIlroy's strategic decision to skip Muirfield Village - reportedly to focus on the remaining two majors - appears to have backfired, both financially and competitively.
The Memorial, known for its elite field and hefty prize money, hosted eight of the world's top 10 players, making it one of the year's key stages for prestige, points, and earnings. McIlroy's absence allowed 28 year old Scheffler to take the spotlight unopposed, surpassing his rival in the rankings while solidifying his grip on the world No.1 spot.
Meanwhile, McIlroy has been open about his plan to arrange his schedule around the majors, aiming to be in top form as each tournament begins. After finally clinching the elusive Masters title in April, many expected the 36 year old to dominate.
However, his performance since Augusta has been inconsistent, leading to rumours about whether momentum is waning at a crucial point. In contrast, Scheffler continues to ascend.
The battle between Scheffler and McIlroy is far from over, with the U.S. Open and The Open Championship still to come. However, the current narrative is clear: one is riding a wave of consistent excellence, while the other pins his hopes on his long game - in every sense - delivering results at the critical moments.
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