Heading into the 2025 Masters, Rory McIlroy remains in search of his first major win in over a decade. Although the Irishman has shown impressive form with victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and THE PLAYERS Championship, he continues to explore new strategies in his quest for the elusive green jacket. This time, he’s turning to 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus for guidance.

Recently, UnderDogGolf shared a post on X, saying, “Jack Nicklaus says he went through Augusta strategy with Rory McIlroy over lunch last week, via @GabbyHerzig.” This year in January, Nicklaus talked about McIlroy and the hurdles he needs to break through. As per him, “What he has to deal with is exactly what you’re talking about, psychologically.” That’s right, the Golden Bear believes it’s not his game that is holding the four-time major champion back, but the mental struggles instead.

The pressure of going years without a major win is clearly weighing on the Irishman, especially as he occasionally misses even the simplest of shots. It’s tough to stay focused when your mind is constantly under pressure. Jack Nicklaus also talked about it, saying, “He hasn’t won for a while and when he gets himself in a position—last year at Pinehurst, he had a little short putt at 16 that he wouldn’t miss 1 in 1000 times, but he did and then missed another one at 18. But you get yourself or you haven’t won one for a while, and it’s difficult to get out of that.”

It’s not just Nicklaus who believes that mental hurdles are holding the Irishman back. But Brandel Chamblee seems to have the same thoughts. After his blunder against Bryson DeChambeau last year, Chamblee also chipped in with his thoughts. “He underperforms in the heat of battle. The first three days he gets in position every single time and doesn’t close the door. The reason he hasn’t won majors is not because his game deserts him on Sunday; it’s because he lacks the confidence to drive over the line like he does in PGA Tour events. That’s the difference,” he said.

Aside from this, some also blamed his caddie, Harry Diamond, for the loss of the US Open. While he defended his bag man, McIlroy is now considered “unreliable” as compared to Scottie Scheffler on the greens. But why?

Golf Channel analysts pick Scheffler over Rory McIlroy

After winning the masters last year, Scheffler now boasts two green jackets. It’s true that it’s still less than McIlroy’s. However, the #1 golfer has something that the Irishman doesn’t. That’s time. Scottie Scheffler is seven years younger than Rory McIlroy. And if Scheffler manages to keep his game, he might pass McIlroy in the coming years. Logically, McIlroy will reach his retirement first, so he needs to think of something to win another major. Analysts on the Golf Channel believed the same. They recently talked about it, saying, “He is gonna have to make a major commitment to reset his thought process and in his game, which he is working on.”

They also compared the American with Rory McIlroy and added, “He [Rory McIIroy] just doesn’t have the same mindset away from the course that Scottie Scheffler has, and I think now he is realizing at the age of 35.” Witnessing the game of both of the golfers, Scheffler can be considered more trustworthy in the important time. “Rory’s more mercurial, unpredictable, not as reliable as Scottie Scheffler. Although I think this change in Rory’s game where is able to win with his game shows the level of reliability that may not have been there before,” they added further.

If you had to choose one, who would it be? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!