Scottie Scheffler has revealed why he controversially slipped out of the Butler Cabin without a word after handing Rory McIlroy the Green Jacket.
As defending champion, the world No 1 had the duty of helping the Northern Irishman put on his prize for winning the Masters.
But Scheffler came under fire from some fans after making a dash for the exit as soon as McIlroy had put on the Green Jacket.
He was branded ‘classless’ and criticized for not shaking the winner’s hand. But the American has now explained that his only motivation was ensuring he didn’t mess up – and inadvertently steal McIlroy’s thunder.
‘It was such an emotional day for him. I just tried to stay out of the way and basically just get the jacket on without embarrassing him or myself,’ Scheffler said.
McIlroy secured an incredible and emotional win at Augusta, completing the career Grand Slam with victory on the first playoff hole against Justin Rose.
Scottie Scheffler has explained why he dashed off after handing Rory McIlroy the Green Jacket
The 2024 champion was seen walking off as McIlroy celebrated his incredible Masters triumph
The Northern Irishman had been waiting 11 years for a fifth major victory and emotions spilled out after he finally won at Augusta.
‘I got to watch the whole celebration,’ continued Scheffler, who later presented McIlroy with his Green Jacket on the course, too. ‘I watched the finish and it was really cool for me to be able to see.
‘Because I don’t have the understanding of what it’s like to be asked about the career Grand Slam, but I have like a small understanding of what it’s like to be asked: “Hey you’ve accomplished this but you haven’t accomplished that”‘ and it can be very taxing on people sometimes.
‘So it was cool to be able to see Rory get the job done. Definitely from the outside it looked a bit more like relief than anything because Rory has accomplished everything in the game of golf and that was really the last thing for him to accomplish.’
Scheffler added: ‘So it was really cool for me to be there in that moment. He’s a good friend of mine and to be able to congratulate him and see the joy in him and his family, it was really cool.’
