“I don’t like being No. 2”: Scottie Scheffler looks to take back World No. 1 from Rory McIlroy at 2023 WM Phoenix Open

Scottie Scheffler will be looking to take back his world rank no.1 at the WM Phoenix Open, as Rory McIlroy stands at the top of the table.

“I don’t like being No. 2”: Scottie Scheffler looks to take back World No. 1 from Rory McIlroy at 2023 WM Phoenix Open

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy

The 2023 WM Phoenix Open will see one of the strongest fields in a long time. With the top 23 of 24 golfers on the field, it will be a battle of the best. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is in the best shape of his life, and he is itching to win another tournament. However, he has tough competition from the World no. 2- Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler has his eyes on making a comeback on the OWGR list, and will try to get back to the top of the charts. Him, Jon Rahm and McIlroy are the top golfers right now, and it will be a tough fight. It will however be a tough road upwards, as other golfers cannot be counted out of it either.

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“It’s just kind of one of those funny things. Right now I’m ranked No. 2, but I would say I’m not playing the second best golf in the world; I think Rory (McIlroy) and Jon (Rahm) are pretty much neck-and-neck for playing the best golf in the world right now, so the rankings are funny,” Scheffler said. “It’s just an algorithm.”

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Scottie Scheffler looking forward to playing at Phoenix, as tough competition takes course

Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler

“You don’t get any extra trophies or anything like that for having it for a short period of time, but it’s more of a reflection of other things, I’d say, but I don’t like being No. 2. I’d rather be No. 1.” Scheffler said that the algorithm doesn’t always quite work as it should, so the rankings are a mark of long time and consistent play.

Scheffler earned his world no. 1 rank at the 2022 Masters Tournament after beating Rory McIlroy. He held the ranking for 30 long weeks, before McIlroy took over. The battle has been a close one, and it is in anyone’s hands. Last year in Phoenix, Scheffler took the win in grand fashion.

“It’s good to be back in Phoenix. Got a lot of good memories here. Obviously it’s a special tournament for me being the first win, and it’s definitely a lot of fun to be back,”  reminisced Scheffler. “As far as this week goes, it’s exciting. This will be the second elevated event I’ve played this year, so great field this year, and should be fun.”

Scheffler praised the golf course to the fullest. He said that the greens are always firm. Even though the environment is a pain point, it is something that the players love to embrace. “It’s a lot of fun. I think a few times a year being able to play with this big of a crowd is pretty special for us as players.”

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