Top News

Golfing titans Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler appear to hold differing views on competing in tournaments ahead of a major, with the PGA Championship set to get under way on May 14. McIlroy has been recovering following his second Green Jacket triumph at the Masters in April. As a consequence, the star has skipped a number of events, but is currently in action at the Truist Championship, a form of preparation he clearly prefers.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, however, is absent from the tournament, which is being held from May 7-10 at Quail Hollow.The Truist is a signature event that falls between the Cadillac Championship, which Scheffler did participate in, finishing T2, and the PGA Championship. Speaking towards the end of April, Scheffler explained that his decision to skip the Charlotte-based event came down to timing, adding that he simply does not enjoy competing so close to a major.

"I typically don't love playing the week before a major," Scheffler said. "It's nice to have so many tournaments that are really good. If I had it my way I would play every single week out here. But just the nature of our sport and the demand on our time and everything it's not really possible.

"If y'all were to walk with me each day of the tournament and see what we have to do in order to play one week, having to do that four weeks in a row... I wouldn't be able to perform my best. So when I show up at a tournament I want to be able to give it my best and I have to set up my schedule in a certain way and, you know, the chips kind of fall where they do."

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

The 29-year-old Scheffler claimed the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in 2025. That triumph marked his fourth major title, and handed him three of the four legs required for the career grand slam, an honour McIlroy has accomplished.

The Charlotte venue has proved a successful hunting ground for McIlroy previously. Speaking in 2025, McIlroy revealed he favoured competing ahead of a major, but not straight afterwards, contrasting with Scheffler's perspective.

"Before, I'm all for. After, I wouldn't - I'm not a huge fan of it, but there's only so many weeks in the year. I really like playing the week before if it makes sense. I think, again, this week was a great indication of where my game is and what I need to think about and what I need to work on going into next week. But the weeks after majors are tough."

The 37-year-old's appearance at the Truist represents the fifth straight year he has competed in the tournament. Furthermore, McIlroy will be targeting victory for the fifth occasion, having lifted the trophy in 2010, 2015, 2021, and 2024.

No other golfer has claimed the trophy more than twice, which may well explain why the Northern Irish star would be eager to make a return, especially to a course he knows intimately.

Alongside McIlroy, top ten-ranked players including Cameron Young, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, J.J. Spaun and Xander Schauffele are also competing at the 2026 Truist Championship.