Scottie Scheffler (Titleist Pro V1) is the number one ranked golfer in the world, but the sport revolves around Rory McIlroy (TaylorMade TP5). 

By virtue of defending his Masters championship, McIlroy provided the latest example of that.  

After breaking the drought last year, he repeated it last week. 

It might not have been as dramatic – he didn’t fall to his knees and shake – but it was historic. 

He now joins an elite company among the few who have won the tournament in back-to-back years.

As is the custom with McIlroy, he provided drama in his second Masters win. He gave up a sizeable six-stroke lead on Saturday and actually fell behind during Sunday’s final round. In typical style, he rebounded while others chasing him and/or overtaking him – such as Justin Rose (Titleist Pro V1x) – plummeted.

He only won by one stroke over Scheffler, who spotted the field 12 strokes after parring the first two rounds before mounting his charge on the weekend. That’s become Scheffler’s habit in recent weeks of falling behind in the first 18 or 36 holes – though not by design – only to see him light it up on the weekend and simply run out of holes.

As much success as Scheffler has had in recent years, he simply doesn’t drive the PGA Tour’s engine.

Not like McIlroy.

McIlroy was the leading voice of the PGA in its battle against LIV Golf and helped to raise the purses of the tournament and the players’ earning power.

He picked up the mantle of importance when Tiger Woods (Bridgestone Tour B XS) faded from view.

While Woods’ future is uncertain and his dominance diminished by injuries, McIlroy became the most meaningful player on the PGA Tour.

McIlroy is using his influence to grow the sport, especially in the absence of Woods, who was a transformational figure in changing the PGA Tour, bringing sponsorship dollars and eyes to the weekly events. His importance as a builder cannot be overlooked, but McIlroy is a different kind of contributor. He is enjoying a renaissance in his career, and he is changing the game.

So much hype accompanied McIlroy heading into the tournament, including a documentary of what happened in last year’s Masters. There wasn’t nearly the same buildup with Scheffler. He kind of evolved as a figure who is not compelling. He plays a modest style without flash.

McIlroy is the complete opposite. He draws eyeballs from around the world. Some people are saying he is the greatest European player ever. That can be open for debate, but there is no denying he has European golf followers more interested after what has been American dominance.

And that cannot be understated. Americans loved to herald their dominance, while Europeans are more reserved. But when McIlroy is flexing his muscle and mite, Europeans can come out of their shells.

You can really see it in the Ryder Cup when the Europeans humble the Americans and McIlroy is front and centre. He loves the Ryder Cup, placing importance on it and visibly showing his emotions.

I’m sure Scheffler will go into this week’s RBC Heritage as the prohibitive favorite, especially with McIlroy sitting it out, looking to collect another plaid jacket after winning in 2024.

While Scheffler will have to balance family life with golf – his wife Meredith just gave birth to a son a few weeks ago, to go along with another son born in May 2024 – McIlroy is in a different stage with only one child, a daughter born almost six years ago. The challenge of PGA golfers, LIV golfers or any pro players grinding it week to week in various circuits is mixing in family time. It is the untold story that is not examined enough. PGA Tour players have to play in a minimum 20 tournaments a year, but the rank and file have to play more, if only to carve out a living and balance expenses.

So, McIlroy may have found a sweet spot with family time and golf.

He took a very unconventional route to the Masters, defying the pattern in last 15 years of having to play at least once in a tournament within two weeks of teeing it up at Augusta National.

That’s not to say every player going forward will copy his template.

But McIlroy has certainly come up with a plan that works for him. And he is playing in the Masters without the monkey on his back.

In a nutshell, McIlroy is good for the game.

Who knows somebody might someday make a movie about his life. It would be compelling.

THIS AND THAT:

• Bryson DeChambeau really flamed out in the Masters. While needing only a bogey to qualify for weekend play, he shot three-over par on the last hole. He seems to come into the Masters with story lines, much of its self-directed, to challenge the conventional norms of the sport. This year it was about a 3D five-iron he created. I often wonder if the golf gods are sending him a message.

• What happened to Jon Rahm (Callaway Chrome Tour X)? So much focus was on him and his recent play in LIV Golf and a new attitude, but that didn’t translate to his play at the Masters. While he qualified for weekend play, he was never a factor. Some people picked him to win.

• How about Shane Lowry (Srixon Z-Star XV) registering another hole in one? He’s done it multiple times in his career, but doing it as the Masters must feel extra special.

• Sergio Garcia really embarrassed himself with his play and breaking his driver while slamming it on the ground.

• What was Haotong Li (Titleist Pro V1) doing on the 13^th hole on Sunday? He was all over the course. It’s supposed to be one of the easiest in the tournament, but he butchered it shooing five-over par. At least he had sense of humor, raising his arms in celebration after finally getting the ball in the hole. One thing about Li, he always seems to be smiling

• You had to feel sorry for Rose. At age 45, he is playing great golf, but how many more shots will he have at the Masters?