Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy debate legacy ahead of The Open: 'We're all going to die'

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy open up on legacy before The Open

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy sat down this week to talk about what they want their legacies to look like-before The Open tees off at Royal Troon on 18 July. The world’s top two golfers didn’t shy away from the big questions. “We’re all going to die,” McIlroy said bluntly. Scheffler nodded along, calling the conversation “real.”

The chat happened at the Scottish Open practice rounds, where both men are prepping for golf’s oldest major. McIlroy, 35, is chasing his fourth career major. Scheffler, 26, is chasing his first. Neither man sugarcoated the stakes. “It’s not about trophies,” Scheffler said. “It’s about how you treat people and what you leave behind.”

What happened in the conversation

The exchange aired on Tuesday at Royal Troon during practice. Both players spoke to reporters after hitting balls on the range. McIlroy kicked things off with the blunt line about mortality. Scheffler agreed, then pivoted to how golf’s history judges actions, not just wins. “Legacy isn’t a scorecard,” Scheffler said. “It’s the impact you make.”

Neither man gave a polished soundbite. Both sounded like men sizing up their own mortality mid-career. McIlroy, a four-time major winner, admitted he thinks about legacy often. Scheffler, the 2024 Masters champion, called the talk “refreshing.” “Most guys avoid it,” he said. “We don’t.”

Why it matters for Scottie Scheffler

For Scheffler, the chat is a window into his mindset ahead of his first Open Championship start. He’s already the world No. 1. He’s already won a green jacket. Now he’s asked about what comes after the trophies. “I’m still figuring that out,” he said. “But I know it starts with how you carry yourself.”

The conversation also puts him in rare company. Only McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland are currently in the world’s top four and still in their prime. Scheffler’s next move could define whether he’s remembered as a peak-era star or a generational talent. “I’m not worried about labels,” he said. “I’m worried about showing up and doing the work.”

What comes next for Scheffler at The Open

Scheffler’s first Open starts on Thursday at Royal Troon. He’ll tee off alongside McIlroy in one of the marquee groups. The course’s fast greens and brutal winds could test both men’s game plans. “It’s not about legacy out there,” Scheffler said. “It’s about making cuts and keeping the ball in play.”

McIlroy, meanwhile, is chasing his first claret jug since 2014. A win would tie him with five other legends for fourth-most majors all time. Scheffler’s path is different. A top-10 would cement his status as a major-ready player. A missed cut would raise questions about his links pedigree. Either way, the legacy chat showed both men know the clock is ticking. “We’re not getting younger,” McIlroy said. Scheffler just smiled. “Nope,” he said. “We’re not.”