The golf world is in an uproar following Rory McIlroy’s triumphant Masters victory on April 13, 2025, where he clinched the green jacket and completed his career Grand Slam in a thrilling playoff against Justin Rose. But just days later, on April 17, 2025, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (8-0 in 2024) dropped a bombshell during a press conference at the RBC Heritage, accusing the PGA Tour of bias after they announced a controversial rule change immediately following McIlroy’s win. Scheffler’s explosive claim—“They’re rigging it for him!”—has ignited a firestorm, raising questions about fairness, favoritism, and the integrity of the sport. Here’s the full story of Scheffler’s shocking allegations and the chaos they’ve unleashed.

The Rule Change: A New Shot Clock for Pace of Play

On April 14, 2025, just hours after McIlroy’s Masters win, the PGA Tour announced a new rule implementing a 40-second shot clock for all players, effective immediately starting at the RBC Heritage. The rule, aimed at addressing the long-standing issue of slow play, requires players to hit their shots within 40 seconds of being ready, with a one-stroke penalty for a first violation and disqualification for a second offense within the same round. The PGA Tour also plans to release slow-play data publicly to hold players accountable, a move they claim will “enhance the fan experience and maintain competitive integrity.”

The timing of the announcement—right after McIlroy’s victory—has raised eyebrows, especially given McIlroy’s reputation as one of the faster players on Tour. McIlroy, who averaged a five-hour round at the Masters but was never flagged for slow play, has long advocated for stricter pace-of-play measures, famously stating in 2024, “Golf needs to speed up—we can’t keep fans waiting six hours for a round.” The PGA Tour’s statement cited “recent discussions with players and stakeholders” as the catalyst for the change, but Scheffler sees it as more than a coincidence.

Scheffler’s Explosive Allegation: “They’re Rigging It for Him!”

Speaking to reporters at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 17, 2025, Scottie Scheffler didn’t hold back, accusing the PGA Tour of tailoring the rule to favor McIlroy. “They’re rigging it for him!” Scheffler fumed, his frustration palpable. “Rory wins the Masters, and suddenly they roll out a shot clock? He’s one of the fastest players out here—this just makes it easier for him to keep winning while the rest of us adjust. It’s not fair.” Scheffler, who finished fourth at the Masters with a final-round 69, suggested the timing was suspicious, pointing out that the PGA Tour had been discussing pace-of-play reforms for years but chose this moment to act.

Scheffler, known for his methodical approach and deliberate pre-shot routine, admitted the shot clock could disrupt his game. “I’m not the slowest guy out here, but I take my time to make sure I’m ready—it’s how I’ve won,” he said. Scheffler’s 2024 season was flawless, with eight wins, including the Players Championship and the FedEx Cup, but he averaged 45 seconds per shot, occasionally pushing the limit of what the new rule allows. “This isn’t about speeding up the game—it’s about giving certain guys an edge,” he added, clearly referencing McIlroy.

A History of Tension: Scheffler vs. McIlroy

Scheffler’s comments tap into a simmering rivalry with McIlroy, who has been a thorn in his side throughout 2024 and 2025. While the two have maintained a cordial relationship publicly, their competitive battles have been intense, with McIlroy edging out Scheffler at the 2024 BMW Championship and Scheffler returning the favor at the 2024 Tour Championship. McIlroy’s Masters win, watched by a record 7.5 million viewers on Sky Sports, has only amplified his influence, with the PGA Tour reportedly leveraging his popularity to negotiate higher TV rights deals in the UK. Scheffler’s accusation of favoritism reflects a broader concern among some players that McIlroy, as the Tour’s biggest star, wields outsized influence on its decisions. [Web ID: 6] [Web ID: 9]

McIlroy, who skipped the RBC Heritage to celebrate his Masters victory, has not yet responded to Scheffler’s comments, but his past statements on pace of play align with the new rule. “Slow play is a problem—we need to be tougher on it,” McIlroy said before the 2024 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, other players have noted that McIlroy’s naturally quick pace—often hitting shots within 30 seconds—gives him an inherent advantage under the new rule, while deliberate players like Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Patrick Cantlay could struggle to adapt.

The Golf Community Reacts: Support and Outrage

Scheffler’s allegations have sparked a firestorm on social media and within the golf community. On X, the hashtag #ShotClockGate trended alongside clips of Scheffler’s press conference, with fans split on his claims. “Scheffler’s right—the PGA Tour is obsessed with Rory!” one user posted, while another countered, “Scottie’s just salty he didn’t win the Masters—stop crying!” Players have also weighed in, with Collin Morikawa supporting the shot clock but dismissing Scheffler’s bias claim. “It’s not about Rory—it’s about making the game better for fans,” Morikawa told Golf Digest. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, who has clashed with the PGA Tour over other rule changes, backed Scheffler, tweeting, “Another rule to help their golden boy? Shocking.” 

The PGA Tour has denied any favoritism, with a spokesperson stating, “The shot clock rule was developed over months of consultation with players, including the Player Advisory Council, and is designed to benefit the entire Tour, not any individual.” But the timing of the announcement has fueled skepticism, especially given the Tour’s recent push to capitalize on McIlroy’s Masters win, which drew a peak audience of 1.85 million in the UK—37% of the total TV viewership that Sunday.

What’s Next for Scheffler and the PGA Tour?

The shot clock rule is now in effect, and the RBC Heritage will serve as its first test. Scheffler, who is playing despite his reservations, will need to adjust his routine to avoid penalties, a challenge that could impact his performance as he chases his first win of 2025. Other players, like Spieth and Cantlay, have also expressed concerns about the 40-second limit, with Cantlay noting, “It’s going to be tough for some of us—we’ll have to rethink how we prepare.”

For McIlroy, the rule change is unlikely to affect his game, but Scheffler’s accusation of bias has added a new layer of tension to their rivalry. The two are set to face off next at the PGA Championship in May 2025, where the shot clock will still be in trial, and fans are already anticipating a showdown fueled by this controversy. Meanwhile, the PGA Tour faces scrutiny over its decision-making, with some calling for greater transparency in how rules are developed and implemented.

Scottie Scheffler’s explosive claim that the PGA Tour is “rigging it” for Rory McIlroy with a new 40-second shot clock rule, announced just after McIlroy’s Masters win on April 13, 2025, has rocked the golf world. Scheffler’s accusation of favoritism, voiced on April 17, 2025, at the RBC Heritage, has exposed underlying tensions in the sport, pitting the deliberate World No. 1 against the Tour’s biggest star. As the shot clock trial unfolds, the golf community will be watching closely to see if Scheffler’s fears of an uneven playing field come true—or if McIlroy’s dominance continues unchecked. One thing is certain: this controversy has added a fiery edge to the 2025 season, and the drama is far from over. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this unfolding saga!