RBC Heritage R1 | X-Man offers take on Rory McIlroy after Masters misery

Xander Schauffele offers his thoughts on Rory McIlroy's Masters after controversial week for the Northern Irishman.

13 Apr 2023

RBC Heritage R1 | X-Man offers take on Rory McIlroy after Masters misery

Xander Schauffele doesn't believe Rory McIlroy's walk-and-talk CBS interview during the 87th Masters contributed to the Northern Irishman's poor play.

McIlroy made history by becoming the first player to be interviewed live on the course at major championship.

The 33-year-old endured another forgetful week at Augusta National after missing the cut for the third time in 15 appearances.

McIlroy appeared to believe he had banished his demons at the major. He decided to hot-foot it from Georgia and skip any media interviews.

He later withdrew from this week's RBC Heritage, a decision which has cost him $3m as it was the second designated event of 2023 he has skipped.

"You can't hang the hat on that," Schauffele told the media after opening with a 4-under 67 at Harbour Town Golf Links, which was three strokes back of early leader Viktor Hovland.

Schauffele added:

"I know he's not. I don't know. Max [Homa] did it and won at Torrey. Like you said, it kind of just goes whichever way.

"I think, if you're willing to do it, you're going to be fine doing it for a hole. It doesn't matter where you are, if you're in a major or not. It's just kind of a personal deal."

Schauffele confirmed he would not be taking part in any walk-and-talks, but only because he doesn't want to be distracted during play. "That's pretty much it," he said.

Elsewhere, Rickie Fowler continued his good form after narrowly missing out on a spot at Augusta. Fowler posted the same opening score as Schauffele.

He too was asked about McIlroy's interview. Fowler already took part in one at Bay Hill.

Fowler told the media:

"They also give you an out as far as if it ends up not being a good time. So ultimately, the player has the final say. If you're coming off of a bad stretch or maybe in the mix and, hey, this just isn't a good time, they do give you that out.

"So I feel like it's -- you know, when the right questions are asked and it's getting people a little more of an inside look of either what we're thinking or going through or stuff like that, I feel like it's definitely a benefit to the viewers. It seems like there's been some good feedback to it."

In the morning wave, Joel Dahmen, Scott Stallings, U.S. Ryder Cup skipper Zach Johnson and England's Matt Fitzpatrick all posted rounds of 66 to sit inside the top-10 of this bumper prize purse event where the winner will pick up a cheque for $3.6m.

Jon Rahm - who decided not to do a McIlroy - was out on the course when play had to be suspended on day one due to inclement weather warnings.

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