The golf world is still arguing over whether Rory McIlroy has finally caught up to Scottie Scheffler, even if the roars at Augusta National have hardly subsided. With McIlroy finally securing his eagerly anticipated green jacket, the 2025 Masters provided one of the most poignant Sundays in recent memory. Social media blew up, fans roared, and the Northern Irishman started crying since he had been chasing this moment for more than ten years. Despite Rory’s unquestionably legendary victory at Augusta, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) paints a different picture. Let’s dissect everything.

Rory McIlroy’s Green Jacket: A milestone, not a leap in rankings

With his historic victory at the Masters, Rory McIlroy became the sixth player to accomplish the modern career Grand Slam. This victory did not, however, propel him to the top of the OWGR rankings. According to the Nosferatu Twitter account, Scheffler continues to lead with 14.55 points, while McIlroy’s ranking points at 11.75. Given this disparity, McIlroy would require yet another noteworthy victory—possibly another major—to threaten Scheffler’s standing. ​

The OWGR represents sustained achievement over time rather than just isolated triumphs. While Scheffler’s consistent play throughout the season highlights the need for consistency in retaining a top ranking, McIlroy’s Masters victory adds to his already impressive career. Continued success in the next competitions will be necessary for McIlroy to return to the top. ​

This situation highlights how difficult professional golf is. For McIlroy to regain the top rank, he must not just commemorate this achievement but also build on it with more victories. But while the world marveled at Rory’s career-defining win, drama unfolded elsewhere on the course—and not all of it was celebratory.

Scheffler’s Controversy alongside McIlroy’s Emotional Triumph

The 2025 Masters wasn’t just about birdies and bogeys. It was a story soaked in raw emotion and punctuated by unexpected tension. Rory’s win wasn’t just celebrated because it completed his Grand Slam—it was the way he won. On Sunday, McIlroy battled nerves, firm greens, and a field full of sharks. Yet when he dropped his final putt, he looked skyward, then immediately walked off into a tearful embrace with his wife Erica, and their daughter, Poppy. That quiet moment on the 18th green became an image in Masters history. Years of pressure, close calls, and heartbreak—washed away with a single, perfect finish.

But while Rory soared, Scottie Scheffler had a Masters week to forget—not just because of his T12 finish, but eight shots behind McIlroy. Scheffler stirred controversy with several incidents that many fans and pundits labeled as “classless.” One glaring moment came during the second round when he was caught on camera refusing a customary handshake from his playing partner after finishing the 18th—a move that drew audible gasps from the crowd. Another awkward instance came on Saturday when he appeared to sarcastically clap toward a rules official following a dispute over a free drop near the 10th fairway.

These behaviors deviated from the high bar of decorum expected at Augusta, where tradition and respect are woven into the fabric of the event. Golf fans, especially those of the Masters, tend to remember such missteps—and they don’t forget them quickly. Perhaps more telling was Scheffler’s post-tournament silence on McIlroy’s victory. Unlike many top players who congratulated Rory via interviews or social media, Scottie offered no public words. Whether that silence was strategic or emotional, it didn’t go unnoticed. Given his subpar performance—especially a triple-bogey on the back nine Saturday that effectively took him out of contention—it’s not far-fetched to interpret his silence as disappointment. After all, Scheffler has set high standards for himself, and Augusta has been a stage he once dominated.

At the 2025 Masters, McIlroy and Scheffler’s stories couldn’t be more different. On the one side, there’s the emotional victory of a man who’s finally able to get rid of his Augusta demons. A favorite, on the other hand, was chastised for his behavior off the course, agitated on the course, and struggling under pressure. Scheffler’s behavior at Augusta left a stain in a sport that values elegance just as much as grit. However, Rory left with the hearts of millions of people, not just a green jacket.