World No.1 Scottie Scheffler addresses backlash over green jacket moment of Rory McIlroy during Masters Tournament celebration

Scottie Scheffler, the winner of the 2024 Masters Tournament, presented the green jacket to Rory McIlroy this year following his victory.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler addresses backlash over green jacket moment of Rory McIlroy during Masters Tournament celebration

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago/X/@BinanceStuff)

On Sunday, April 13, Rory McIlroy finally got the job done at the Augusta National. The Northern Irish overcame Justin Rose in the playoff round to win the Masters Tournament. As a result of his win, he was given the green jacket by Scottie Scheffler. However, the World No.1 came under huge heat from the fans.

One of the traditions of the Masters Tournament is that the past winner presents the green jacket to the new winner. At the Butler Cabin in the Augusta National Golf Club, Scheffler was tasked to give the green jacket to McIlroy.

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During this moment, Scheffler would give him the jacket and quickly make his exit. While this is a normal thing to do, some fans on social media did not like this. They would slam him for this action and even labeled him ‘classless.’

Ahead of the 2025 RBC Heritage, another event where he will enter as the defending champion, Scheffler explained the moment between him and McIlroy. The 28-year-old claimed that he did not want to embarrass himself and McIlroy on an emotional day for him.

It was such an emotional day for him. I kind of just tried to stay out of the way and basically just get the jacket on without embarrassing him or myself.

Scottie Scheffler told the reporters ahead of 2025 RBC Heritage

The victory on Sunday also saw McIlroy accomplish a massive feat in golf. With the Masters Tournament win, he became just the 6th player in history to win all four major championships and completed the career grand slam.

Meanwhile, Scheffler fired a score of 69 in the final round to finish the event 8-under par in 4th place, 3 shots behind McIlroy.

Scottie Scheffler hilariously compares ‘adrenaline rush’ from getting arrested to winning golf tournaments

For a brief period in the final round, Scottie Scheffler was also in contention for the event. After Justin Rose made a birdie on the 18th, the chances of him winning the tournament were over. While speaking with the reporters ahead of the RBC Heritage, Scheffler hilariously compared the ‘adrenaline rush’ from getting arrested to winning golf tournaments.

Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler (Image via X/@PGATOUR)

Last year, Scheffler won 9 times, including the RBC Heritage. He also got arrested. During the PGA Championship at the Valhalla course, he was shockingly arrested by the police while he made his way into the course while driving around a fatal car crash.

He was later released and completed the tournament. A few days later, all charges against him were dropped. On Tuesday, he once again joked about his experience of getting arrested while making his feelings known of the final round of the Masters Tournament.

On Sunday, yeah, I was in the tournament. It takes a little bit out of you, but I think the adrenaline you get from actually winning the tournament is a lot different than getting close… for instance, if Rosie (Justin Rose) misses that putt and I hole it, huge adrenaline rush and it takes something out of you, you know, kind of like the adrenaline rush you get from getting arrested like that, that takes something out of you.

Scottie Scheffler told the reporters

Speaking of the Masters Tournament, there was an increase in the prize purse once again this year. The 89th edition of the event featured a $21 million purse. Scheffler, who pocketed $4 million from winning the event last year, once again made seven figures this year. His 4th-place finish saw him earn $1.008 million.

Who is Scottie Scheffler paired up with at the RBC Heritage?

After the thrilling Masters Tournament, the PGA Tour now turns its attention towards the RBC Heritage at the Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina. It will be the 5th signature event of the year. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is in the field for this event.

Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler (Image via Golf.com)

Last year, Scheffler entered this event on the back of a famous win at the Masters Tournament. He went on to extend his winning run as he emerged triumphant here, finishing 3 shots ahead of Sahith Theegala.

This time around, Scheffler does not have the winning momentum. Following his record-breaking season in 2024, he has yet to win. He will start off the 2025 RBC Heritage by playing alongside Viktor Hovland, who returned to the winner’s circle with a victory at the Valspar Championship. They will tee off at 10:45 a.m. Eastern Time.

One special thing about this event is that there will be no cut. As a result of this, all the players will get the chance to play all 72 holes of this tournament.