Rory McIlroy's rival admits Masters champion 'scares' him after incredible feat

Rory McIlroy's rival Xander Schauffele has shared insight into how the Masters Champions scared him during his back-to-back Augusta victory.

The 32-year-old American is in action against the Northern Irishman at the Quail Hollow Club for the Truist Championship, in McIlroy's first tournament since winning the Masters.

The Californian shared his impression of McIlroy's performance at Augusta, after the Grand Slam champion beat Scottie Scheffler by one stroke.

Schauffele said: "I mean, he hits - you know, I think at Augusta it was an impressive display.

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"His best club was his worst club, and he still won the tournament. That's a little scary, obviously, if you're competing against him.

"That being his driver. But a week like this week usually he's hitting his driver on most holes and it's his best club in his bag most times.

"It's a nice thing to watch him hit driver, and it's definitely a good property to be able to fly it about 330 yards on."

The Masters champion is in action as he makes his long-awaited comeback to PGA Tour competition.

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The Masters champion hadn't swung a club competitively since claiming his second consecutive green jacket nearly a month ago at Augusta.

His opening round at Quail Hollow proved remarkably steady - perhaps too steady.

McIlroy rattled off 17 consecutive pars, coming tantalisingly close to what would have been a first in his PGA Tour career: 18 straight pars.

But a lengthy putt dropped on the final hole, giving him a one-under 70 and sparing him that peculiar distinction.

The moment prompted a brilliant exchange with fellow Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood, who couldn't resist having a bit of fun with the Northern Irishman.

"I would have missed that on purpose," Fleetwood cheekily told McIlroy after watching him sink the birdie putt.

The Englishman doubled down: "You could have missed that on purpose."

McIlroy's response was telling: "Well I was thinking, I can't remember the last time on tour that I had a round of golf that I didn't make a birdie in."

It's clear the 37-year-old wasn't about to let such an unwanted record stand, regardless of how amusing it might have been.

While McIlroy's driving was spot on throughout Thursday's round, his putter simply refused to cooperate.

He squandered birdie opportunities on multiple holes, including the 12th and 13th, where his putts slid wide of the target.

"I wasn't frustrated, I was hitting good putts," McIlroy explained. "Some days they just don't want to go in."

The Northern Irishman is in action on day two with Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

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