Golf star Scottie Scheffler has been called out by fans for apparently ‘classless’ behaviour towards Rory McIlroy in the Northern Irishman’s indoor green jacket ceremony – but others have staunchly defended him for his outdoor antics.
McIlroy beat Justin Rose in a playoff to claim his first Major title in 11 years and complete a long-awaited Grand Slam.
As the 2024 champion, it was Scheffler’s duty to pass on the iconic green jacket.
And so he helped the new Augusta king put on his green regalia – before quickly taking off without a word.
Fans were quick to make something of his failure to congratulate him indoors, though Scheffler did embrace McIlroy as he presented the green jacket out on the course.
‘Scheffler classless never opened his mouth or shake hands put jacket on and legged it,’ wrote one on X.
Some fans called Scottie Scheffler ‘classless’ for not congatulating Rory McIlroy on his Masters win in the Butler Cabin
The 2024 champion quickly took off without saying a word as McIlroy took in the moment
Other fans pointed out how warm Scheffler was towards the new champion in the outdoor part
Another said: ‘That was poor from Scheffler. Didn’t even shake his hand. Put the jacket on him and walked off.’
One asked: ‘Scheffler classless never opened his mouth or shake hands put jacket on and legged it.’
But one fan took Scheffler’s corner, sharing a photo of him helpig McIlroy with the jacket on the course and writing: ‘This is the true moment in time when Scottie put the green jacket on his wonderful friend Rory.
‘They both have the utmost respect for one another. People need to stop making judgements without all the facts! Love and blessings to both Scottie and Rory!!’
Another added: ‘He was very warm to him out side on the green when he gave him the jacket. Butler Cabin just weird environment.’
In winning the Masters, McIlroy became just the sixth man to complete golf’s career Grand Slam of all four majors.
The Northern Irishman ended an 11-year wait to win a major championship at Augusta after edging out Justin Rose in a nail-biting sudden-death play-off. McIlroy saw his two-shot lead evaporate after the first hole but was able to wrestle back control before a late charge from Rose forced the decider.
He was overcome with tears of joy as the reality dawned on him. McIlroy collapsed to the ground with his head in hands as his shoulders wracked with sobs.
The pair were seen smiling together as McIlroy basked in his long-awaited Masters victory
Rising to his feet, he clung to caddie, Harry Diamond, who has been by McIlroy’s side through thick and thin for over seven years. The pair shared a tearful moment before the 2025 Masters winner acknowledged his dueling partner Rose and rushed off the putting surface to where his wife Erica Stoll and four-year-old Poppy were waiting.
McIlroy went straight to his wife of eight years and pulled her into an embrace.
The Irishman then knelt down to hug Poppy, who looked overwhelmed by the occasion, before scooping her into his arms as the tears continued to spill over.
‘Last but not least, over to my left, my family, my team,’ he said, trailing off as the tears threatened to spill again during the green jacket ceremony.
‘They’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through. They know the burden that I’ve carried to come here every year and try and try and try again,’ he continued after recomposing himself.
‘The one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy, never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back. Keep working hard.’
And it seems the scale and drama of the 35-year-old’s achievement was not lost on the British public as Masters Sunday became the most-watched day in Sky Sports history.
McIlroy’s Augusta triumph, the culmination of a blockbuster day of sport hosted on Sky, drew in a record peak audience of 1.85 million viewers — commanding 37 per cent of total TV viewership.
McIlroy celebrated his Masters win with wife Erica (right) and daughter Poppy (centre)
McIlroy embraced his wife of almost eight years following a turbulent year off the course
The Northern Irishman finally sealed victory at Augusta National, completing the career Grand Slam
After defeating Justin Rose in a dramatic playoff, he rushed to his family at the 18th
McIlroy, who overcame Justin Rose in a playoff, poses alongside his family
Other big audience draws included Premier League action as Newcastle United crushed Manchester United 4-1, and Liverpool defeated West Ham 2-1 thanks to a late winner from Virgil Van Dijk; the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley that saw Peterborough beat Birmingham City; and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri winning the Bahrain Grand Prix.
That schedule saw Sky Sports reach 7.5 million viewers across its channels with a record average audience of 1.3 million tuning in between 6am and 2am. That marked a record 19% share of total TV viewing, and a 39% share among under-35s — both higher than any terrestrial broadcaster.
