Scottie Scheffler admitted he was thrilled to see Rory McIlroy sink an improbable putt, which saw the latter hit the grandstand before seeing his ball settle on the green on the 18th hole

Scottie Scheffler explained how he felt seeing Rory McIlroy’s improbable shot on the 18th hole(Image: Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Even Scottie Scheffler had to give Rory McIlroy props for his improbable birdie on the 18th hole, which is a feat in and of itself considering how the former played one round with Tiger Woods and changed his approach.

In the final hole of the first round, McIlroy found himself in the bunker sporting an irritated gaze as he attempted to make his next move. Ultimately, the star attempted to chip onto the green, in hopes of having it land close for a birdie chance

Having planned out his move, McIlroy mishit the ball, sending it over the green and into the grandstand behind it. After a loud thud, the ball slowly rolled onto the green and settled within striking distance for the star, allowing him to take advantage with his putting.

The Northern Irish star then calmly sank the shot to finish four-under for the day, good for T8. Watching the entire ordeal play out, Scheffler shared what was going through his mind, admitting that he was hoping for McIlroy to find some semblance of luck.

“I have never rooted so hard for somebody’s ball to come back — outside of my partner at a team event — because we’re walking 18 and [Golf Channel announcer Jim “Bones” Mackay] told us they’re going to blow it any second,” Scheffler said to the Golf Channel after the fact.

Rory McIlroy with a ridiculous up-and-down for birdie off the grandstand sign on 18. 😂 pic.twitter.com/oIuxEkfrbZ

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 21, 2025

“And so I watch his ball fly toward the grandstand and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve got no way of finishing this thing,’ and so I was relieved when I saw it come back on the green so we can get done.”

Rory McIlroy hit a shot that left even Scottie Scheffler impressed(Image: Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Along with McIlroy’s impressive save at the end, the 29-year-old shared his gameplan, stating that his wedges were “terrible” and commented on how the weather could have impacted his afternoon.

“The winds with these storms coming in, it was swirling pretty good, and it got us on 10, it got us on 12, and then it kind of died down a little bit, and we were able to kind of hit a good one in there into 15, another one pin high on 17,” he continued.

“So once we kind of got something with the wind, they got a little bit sharper.”