It was the third signature event on the 2024 PGA Tour schedule. Scottie Scheffler was having trouble with his gameplay, or more specifically, his putting. Then comes Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman joined the broadcast booth after he finished for the day to call some of the action at the Genesis Invitational. During his appearance, he went ahead to advise the golfer on using a mallet putter, albeit indirectly. Little did he know back then that it would backfire!
Now comes the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The current No.1 in the world managed to prove yet again why he holds the top spot on the OWGR. However, while doing so, he was able to defeat the 34-year-old based on the advice he gave him, which, in turn, led to the community making fun of McIlroy!
Rory McIlroy and his advice to Scottie Scheffler
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“Scottie does everything else so well…,” stated McIlroy during the third signature event, as he went ahead to point out how he needs help with putting while mentioning, “I’d love to see Scottie try a mallet.” Interestingly, he wasn’t the only one. The professionals’ swing coach, Randy Smith also urged him to change his putter, which led to him using the TaylorMade Spider Tour X (X1) putter with a 3-degree loft and 72-degree lie angle at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The result? Well, the 7-time major champ went ahead to score 20 birdies over the four days of play at the fourth signature event while emerging victorious at the same. Moreover, he was able to lead the field in total strokes gained as he beat the likes of McIlroy, who could only finish at T21 in the tournament.
The community welcomed the development with open arms but with a twist. The fans of the sport went ahead to make fun of the Northern Irishman, as his advice to Scheffler paved the way for the latter to defeat the former in a signature event where lots were at stake. A follower even commented, “Did Rory McIlroy just awaken the sleeping giant by suggesting he switch to a mallet?”
Did Rory McIlroy just awaken the sleeping giant by suggesting he switch to a mallet?
— Wayne Whitlock (@wayne_whitlock) March 10, 2024
That seemed to be just one of the many that followed. The golf world couldn’t help but point out the situation that led the golfer to experience defeat due to the advice he dished out to a fellow PGA Tour pro. The internet was thrown into a fervor as a result.
McIlroy’s counterproductive advice sends the fans into a frenzy
Although there were a lot of comments that emerged from the community, some stood out. From insinuating how the 34-year-old woke up a sleeping giant to hilariously alluding to the old Ryder Cup drama, the fans went crazy on their X handles. Let us take a quick look at some of them.
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One can’t possibly argue with the next comment. An enthusiast couldn’t help but point out how the 24-time PGA Tour champ might have created a monster of a golfer who was otherwise good at everything else with his counsel.
Damnit @McIlroyRory may have created a monster with true Mallot recommendation
— CrownTown🏀👽🅰️🌭🥌 (@CrownTown_nft) March 10, 2024
A fan drew a parallel between McIlroy and J. Robert Oppenheimer, the latter of whom regretted making the atomic bomb. Confused? Well, here Scheffler’s putting game is the atomic bomb for the Northern Irishman, who is made fun of as regretting his choices.
Live footage as Rory McIlroy reflects on advising Scottie Scheffler to change his putter pic.twitter.com/W6AKdGXI0o
— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) March 10, 2024
Now it’s the world No.1’s turn to be hilariously compared to another person. Earlier, during the 2023 PNC Championship, Tiger Woods had called his son Charlie Woods’s friend and caddie “Big Dog.” Well, this time, it was the 27-year-old thanking the 4-time major champ for his advice.
POV: Scottie Scheffler to Rory in the Bay Hill locker room after taking his advice to switch to a mallet putter and winning by 5 in his first week with it pic.twitter.com/1z4Cupres0
— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMTracker) March 10, 2024
Another parallel by a fan but this time it is from the NBA world. The 2011 U.S. Open champ giving advice to the 1-time major winner was compared to Michael Jordan getting the guidance to do the fadeaway shot, something which he was famous for perfecting and taking the basketball world by storm.
Rory saying that Scottie should “try a mallet” might end up being the “Michael Jordan should develop a fade away jumper” of this era.
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) March 10, 2024
Remember the Ryder Cup and the Joe LaCava incident? Well, a follower comically shared a snap of the parking lot incident and changed the context as well. They mentioned how the Northern Irishman was being forced back by Shane Lowry from offering help to Scheffler instead of the fight that actually happened.
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Footage of Shane Lowry trying to stop Rory from telling Scottie to use a mallet. pic.twitter.com/PB4JAai2wA
— Sean Martin (@PGATOURSMartin) March 11, 2024
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Nevertheless, it appears Scheffler has come out glorious pushing past his putting woes, all thanks to the No.2 golfer in the world. What do you think of the whole situation? Do you think the American pro would continue to dominate McIlroy owing to the advice the latter himself dished out? Let us know your thoughts below.
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