Rory McIlroy: Scottie Scheffler is POY, 'we're all effed' if his putter stays hot

Rory McIlroy: Scottie Scheffler is POY, 'we're all effed' if his putter stays hot

Entering the FedExCup playoffs, there was considerable debate about who should claim the PGA Tour Player of the Year award. Not anymore, says Rory McIlroy. Just give the thing - again - to Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler put an exclamation point on his consistently excellent season last week by beating the 70-man field at the FedEx St. Jude Championship by a whopping eight strokes.

What happened?

Scheffler's second win of the season, coupled with his 12 top-5s and his lead in more than a dozen statistical categories, paints his season in an entirely different light. McIlroy, the Masters champion, was asked Wednesday at the BMW Championship whether he might earn the top honors - as voted on by the players - if he added a season-ending FedExCup title to his Masters title defense.

Why it matters for Rory McIlroy

"No," McIlroy said with a laugh. "I'm not the Player of the Year. No chance. Scottie is." He was quick to mention that two weeks remain in the playoffs, leaving open the possibility of a fast finish by one of the other contenders. But McIlroy also played with Scheffler during the first two rounds in Memphis, and he admitted that he's in a different league at the moment.

What comes next?

"If he keeps playing like that," McIlroy said, "if he gains nine strokes on the greens every week, we're all effed." A fifth consecutive Player of the Year title would tie Tiger Woods' all-time record (1999-2003).

Key Takeaways:

• Scottie Scheffler is the clear choice for PGA Tour Player of the Year, according to Rory McIlroy.
• Scheffler's second win of the season, coupled with his 12 top-5s and lead in more than a dozen statistical categories, makes a strong case for him.
• Two weeks remain in the playoffs, leaving open the possibility of a fast finish by one of the other contenders.

Stats Table:

Key Takeaways:

• Scottie Scheffler is the clear choice for PGA Tour Player of the Year, according to Rory McIlroy.
• Scheffler's second win of the season, coupled with his 12 top-5s and lead in more than a dozen statistical categories, makes a strong case for him.
• Two weeks remain in the playoffs, leaving open the possibility of a fast finish by one of the other contenders.

Rory McIlroy says Scottie Scheffler is the clear choice for PGA Tour Player of the Year, citing his impressive season and dominant performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.