Golf legend Jack Nicklaus says 'quiet part loud' as he talks up Scottie Scheffler

Multiple major champion Jack Nicklaus did not hold back as he gave his verdict on what makes Scottie Scheffler so dominant. 

Scheffler, 28, landed his 16th PGA Tour title at last week's Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village hosted by the Golden Bear.

The American World No.1 produced yet another masterclass in Ohio by securing a four-shot victory over in-form Ben Griffin. 

European Ryder Cup hopeful Sepp Straka and Canada's Nick Taylor were Scheffler and Griffin's closest challengers. 

It was Scheffler's third victory in four starts and he will head to the U.S. Open in two weeks' time in a relentless vein of form. 

Nicklaus told reporters on Sunday he believes Scheffler is currently playing better than he did in his heyday. 

"Great players are ones who rise to the occasion and ones who know how to play coming down the stretch in important events," he said.  

"Looking at the leaderboard today, he didn't have -- I mean, Ben Griffin's a nice player, Sepp Straka is a nice player, Nick Taylor is a nice player. 

"Those were all the guys that were there basically coming down the stretch.

"But he knows that those guys, you know, are not in his league."

His comments were picked up by X users, who suggested that Nicklaus said the quiet part loud. 

"The G.O.A.T," one wrote, adding: "When Jack talks, I listen. No BS. Just straight talk."

Nicklaus stated Scheffler might've found the situation harder to deal with had someone of Xander Schauffele's skill level been in contention.

"He didn't put himself in a position to lose the golf tournament," Nicklaus added. 

"He was always in a position to win. And if he had to do something more spectacular, he was in a position to do so. But he didn't have to."

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"Once you start to get a big head and you believe you're too good, then you will get beat"

Scheffler has some way to go if he is to match or surpass some of the game's greats.

The most obvious question being asked right now is where Scheffler's career will stack up compared to Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Scheffler has 16 PGA Tour titles, including three majors, and has been at the top of the world rankings for more than 90 weeks.

When Woods was Scheffler's age, he had already locked up eight of his 15 major wins and was the top-ranked player for 264 weeks.

Nicklaus had locked up six major wins when he was the same age as Scheffler.

Scheffler was warned by Nicklaus not to get big-headed, though, as it could prove to be his undoing.

"I never though that one time when I played," Nicklaus said. 

"I always felt like, hey, you know, I got 144 guys or whatever it might be out there to play. I've got to play well to beat 'em. #

"Once I got myself into position, you know, to win, then you got to be smart about how you finish it. And that's the way he's playing. He reminds me so much of the way I like to play. I don't think I played nearly as well as he played. 

"He's playing better than I played and more consistent. He's just been playing fantastic, and I love watching him play. 

"Whether it's here or on the television or whatever it is, I love to watch. Anytime he's playing, I want to watch."