Can Anyone Stop Scottie Scheffler And Rory McIlroy at The Masters

With the 2025 Masters getting underway, there are two names dominating every conversation: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. The world no.1 and no.2 are in good stead heading to Augusta this year, and the question begging to be asked isn't who’s going to win it, but more if anyone can stop them.

McIlroy's Masters record is one that has been stuck on a loop for many years now, chasing that career grand slam, but falling bitterly short year after year. However, something in the air feels different this year. His game looks strong and sharp across the board. Rory's driving distance and accuracy is constantly one of the best on the tour, and his iron striking is as deadly as ever. Rory's putting has let him down in the past, harsh memories of the US Open remain, but it seems as though he has re-found his confidence and his ability to find the bottom of the cup. Since his runner-up finish in 2022, this could be the year Rory finally puts his Masters woes to bed.

However, former Ryder Cup star Jamie Donaldson seems to think the pressure of completing his career slam could be all too much. Speaking to Genting Casino, he said: “A lot of the time you watch Rory playing The Masters and for some reason he just doesn't look comfortable. Yet in regular events he just looks exceptional!

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"If he takes that same game that he just produced in the Players’ and in the last few weeks, then you know he should be in contention on Sunday.

"But you don’t know how big a cross it is to bear. It's so important for him to win it to complete the Grand Slam.

"That's what he wants to do. So, there's more pressure as he needs that one to complete the Grand Slam. It's more pressure because he's brilliant tee to green and should be in contention. But he hasn't been in contention there really since 2011."

Donaldson also has concerns over Rory's putting, and if it will let him down once more. He said: £To be honest of the four majors, the Masters you’d have thought would have been one of the easier ones for him to win because tee to green he is so exceptional that you think he could smash it to bits, playing to his strengths, then birdie all the par 5s which are all reachable.

"It is just down to the putting. As we know, the Masters is all about putting. If you don’t putt well it makes it harder. But for him, because he is so good tee to green the course is easy for him in effect."

And then there's the world no.1, Scottie Scheffler. Scottie entered this season with a delay due to injury, but since his return he has hastily re-found his form. With a T2 finish last week at the Texas Children's Houston Open, Scottie will almost certainly be in contention come Sunday morning. He’s been the most consistent golfer in the world for two years now, and his tee-to-green game is exceptional. Even on bad days, Scottie contends and leads. As far as the rest of the field is concerned, he is a problem.

So, who can challenge. We could all sit and list name after name of who can challenge for the Green Jacket this year, but when it comes down to who can hold their nerve down the final stretch, we will have to wait and see. Here’s some names I think could come close to the top two in contention this year.

Ludvig Aberg will be pushing for contention this year after his runner-up finish last year. The young European has been in excellent form ever since, and he picked up his second tour victory earlier on this season at the Genesis Invitational. Will the youngster be able to claim his first ever major title?

Collin Morikawa is another who is playing some incredible golf so far this season. The American has already submitted two runner-up finishes this season, but will this be the weekend he can go one more and claim his second career major.

Other names in contention come Sunday afternoon could include LIV players, Tyrrell Hatton, Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann. All coming into this weekend with a lot of eyes and pressure on them, with points to prove. Will they be able to prove they can perform and compete for major titles?

So will Rory live up to the expectations, or will he crumble on the greens once more. Or will Scottie Scheffler claim the Green Jacket for a second year in a row. Alternatively, could we see something similar to 2016 all over again when Danny Willett, against all odds, took home the Green Jacket. We can only wait and see what Sunday afternoon has to offer for us, but it certainly has the makings of a great weekend.

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