Jack Nicklaus weighs in on Scheffler vs McIlroy debate: 'I see more of myself in Scottie'

At 85 years old, Nicklaus remains one of the sport's most respected voices. With a record 18 major championships to his name, his opinions still carry a lot of weight. 

Speaking recently about the contrasting styles of the current top-ranked players, Nicklaus was complimentary of both but didn't hesitate to draw a line between them.

Having always emphasized precision and consistency over sheer power, Nicklaus suggested that McIlroy's occasional struggles with ball control - particularly with his tendency to overdraw shots - have held him back from having an even greater career.

"[I see myself more in] Scottie," Nicklaus said. "First of all, Rory, the ball gets away from Rory right to left. Always has his career. He hasn't corrected it, but he still has had a great career with it.

"But could he have had a better career if he'd gone a little bit the other way? I don't know," Nicklaus added. "Maybe yes, maybe no."

While McIlroy's recent Masters win has reignited the debate about where he stands among the greats, Nicklaus praised him for his resilience and ability to compete at the highest level despite that long-standing flaw. The two have maintained a mutual respect over the years, with Nicklaus reportedly reaching out personally to congratulate McIlroy after his Augusta triumph.

Still, when it comes to the player who most closely resembles his own style and ethos, Nicklaus pointed to the current World No 1.

"Scottie has learned at a fairly young age that keeping the ball in play [is key]," he said. "He's long, he's certainly long enough - as long as the rest of the guys. But he doesn't try to be.

"He makes sure that he puts it in play so that he's got a second shot to play. I think that wins golf tournaments more often than hitting it over the top of trees and so forth."