Paul McGinley names who he thinks is the best golfer in the world right now ‘by miles’

Paul McGinley Declares Scottie Scheffler as “The Best by Miles” in the World Right Now, But Does McIlroy or Schauffele Have a Chance to Catch Him?

 

The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) may place Scottie Scheffler firmly as the best golfer in the world in 2024, but there remains an underlying debate. While Scheffler’s remarkable year has cemented his name at the top, the challenges brought by Xander Schauffele, who has won two majors in 2024, and Rory McIlroy, who has showcased relentless consistency, keep the question of supremacy intriguing. For fans and analysts alike, it’s an exciting time to wonder if Scheffler’s reign is merely the beginning or if one of his two main rivals can challenge his hold on the title.

 

Scheffler’s season has been nothing short of legendary. Dominating from the very start, he clinched the prestigious Masters title, then went on to earn Olympic Gold—a feat few can dream of. Alongside these landmark achievements, he’s secured numerous high-profile victories across signature events, firmly setting him apart. Yet, just as Scheffler rose to fame, Schauffele made headlines with his spectacular wins at both The Open and the PGA Championship, proving his ability to perform under pressure in the sport’s most coveted tournaments. Meanwhile, McIlroy, though not capturing any major titles this season, displayed an unrivaled level of consistency that has, once again, affirmed his place among the golf elites.

 

However, if numbers speak volumes, Scheffler’s position in the OWGR standings remains untouchable. With an astonishing lead—nearly 300 points over Schauffele, who is ranked second—Scheffler is sitting at the summit of the rankings in a way that suggests no immediate threat to his dominance. His achievements are catching the eye of many, and among his most vocal admirers is former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who has now openly crowned Scheffler as the ultimate player in today’s golfing world.

 

Paul McGinley: “Scottie Scheffler by Miles”

 

In a recent interview with the Irish Independent, McGinley shared his insights on the current state of golf and the elite players making headlines. While the conversation spanned several topics, McGinley left no room for ambiguity when discussing who he believes deserves the number one spot, citing Scheffler as the undisputed leader among the current generation.

 

“Scottie Scheffler by miles,” McGinley declared with conviction. He delved into the technical improvements that have elevated Scheffler’s game to new heights, specifically highlighting his putting. “I think it [his putting] is vastly improved,” he explained. McGinley attributed this improvement to Scheffler’s decision to work with renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon—a choice McGinley considered transformative. “There are different styles of putters and when he went to Phil Kenyon, I knew that was a good move,” he added. For McGinley, Kenyon’s structured approach perfectly suits Scheffler’s disciplined style, contrasting with Rory McIlroy’s unstructured tendencies, which he suggests are better aligned with Brad Faxon’s guidance.

 

According to McGinley, Scheffler’s collaboration with Kenyon has refined his putting game to a level that sets him apart from his peers, enabling him to tackle challenging courses with increased confidence. “I think he’s a much better putter with Phil Kenyon,” McGinley remarked, emphasizing that this partnership has provided Scheffler with the tools needed to remain consistent in top-level tournaments.

 

McGinley didn’t stop there. He turned to the statistics that underscore Scheffler’s remarkable season, noting that the 90% top-10 finish rate Scheffler achieved in 2024 is virtually unprecedented. “That’s off the scale,” McGinley said, stressing that his close attention to golf’s performance data allows him to appreciate Scheffler’s accomplishments on a deeper level. He even went as far as to compare Scheffler’s 2024 season to the historic records set by none other than Tiger Woods, specifically citing Woods’ legendary 2006 season as a benchmark.

 

For McGinley, Scheffler’s achievements have placed him in a rarefied class of golfers who can be measured alongside Tiger Woods in his prime. “Tiger dominates the best five years ever played,” McGinley explained, referencing a vast database of PGA Tour statistics meticulously collected since 2000. “The second-best ever recorded was this year with Scottie Scheffler. That’s how close to Tiger Woods he has got.”

 

Although McGinley acknowledges that Scheffler may lack Woods’ charisma, he argues that Scheffler’s skill and consistency are undeniable. The sheer magnitude of Scheffler’s 2024 accomplishments—a staggering seven wins and top-10 finishes in nearly every event he entered—cements his place in history. Schauffele, McGinley noted, has also put together an impressive year with two major wins and a 70% top-10 finish rate, but even his strong performance falls short of the level Scheffler has achieved. “The nearest to him is Xander Schauffele,” McGinley admitted, but added that, despite Schauffele’s prowess, he has only won twice in 2024 and still lacks the same consistency in ball striking and putting that Scheffler displays.

 

Scheffler’s Rankings Lead: A Monumental Challenge for Any Rival

 

As things stand, Scottie Scheffler’s position at the top of the OWGR seems unassailable. His current ranking, based on an exceptional 733.53153 points, is light-years ahead of Schauffele’s 459.63635, with McIlroy trailing even further behind at 380.45008. These numbers underscore just how dominant Scheffler has been, creating an enormous gap that would require a near-perfect season from either McIlroy or Schauffele—and perhaps a major slump from Scheffler—to alter the current standings.

 

Given this substantial point differential, dethroning Scheffler would demand more than just one or two wins from his challengers. It would likely take multiple major victories, coupled with consistent top finishes, to even close the gap. In other words, Scheffler would need to underperform in significant tournaments or possibly even sit out high-stakes events to risk losing his ranking. As McGinley suggested, this period of Scheffler’s dominance resembles other legendary eras in golf, such as those of Tiger Woods or, at times, McIlroy himself. But this era, McGinley argues, belongs to Scheffler, and it’s a testament to his extraordinary skill that he’s managed to reach such a commanding position at this stage of his career.

 

A New Era of Dominance: How Long Can Scheffler Hold the Crown?

 

While golf fans have seen players rise and fall from the top, Scheffler’s run feels different. His relentless drive, combined with a strategically sound support team—including the influential addition of Phil Kenyon—has enabled him to maintain a level of excellence that’s hard to rival. The consensus among experts, like McGinley, suggests that Scheffler’s grip on the world number one ranking is far from shaky. In fact, unless unforeseen circumstances arise, Scheffler’s place at the pinnacle of golf appears secure for the foreseeable future.

 

There is no doubt that both Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy will continue to push the boundaries, with Schauffele’s recent major wins and McIlroy’s seasoned performance record suggesting they won’t concede easily. But right now, the numbers, the wins, and the experts all agree: Scottie Scheffler is not just leading the pack—he’s redefining what it means to be number one in the modern golfing era.