Scheffler shows off gold as McIlroy seeks to turn the narrative.

Scottie Scheffler was showing off his Olympic gold medal on Wednesday and prepared to compete for his first PGA Tour playoff triumph, while Rory McIlroy aims to “flip the script” on a devastating year in the coming weeks.

Top-ranked Scheffler, who has seven wins this year including the Masters, and McIlroy begin their FedEx Cup playoff aspirations on Thursday in Memphis with the St. Jude Championship.

“It’s been fantastic to be able to win after some strong play. “The Olympics were a lot of fun,” Scheffler stated. “It’s great to be back home and ready for the playoffs.”

Scheffler, who became a parent this year, is contending for PGA Player of the Year with Xander Schauffele, who won the British Open and PGA Championship.

When asked to choose between Schauffele’s two majors and Scheffler’s season, McIlroy picked Scheffler.

“Scottie’s. “I think winning the Masters, an Olympic gold medal, or whatever it is six times is pretty difficult to top,” McIlroy said.

“He always finds a way to hit the shots or make the putts. I’ve described Scottie as relentless, and this is again another evidence of that.

“He’s had an incredible couple of years.” It was as if after he won the first one, the floodgates opened, and he discovered a new gear and level.”

Scheffler, 28, was Player of the Year the previous two seasons and has won the Bay Hill, Players, Masters, Heritage, Memorial, and Travelers titles this year, as well as Olympic gold.

Taking the playoff crown in two weeks at East Lake in Atlanta would cap off a great season.

“I don’t really think about exclamation point or anything like that, but definitely want to win the FedEx Cup,” Scheffler told reporters. “I didn’t have my best stuff at East Lake the last couple years.”

Scheffler brought his gold medal, which he would retain with him throughout the Tour Championship.

“I brought it for a deal this morning, and I promptly put it back in my backpack,” Scheffler told me.

“I was astonished by how many people wanted to see the medal. I believe there are many situations in golf where they will say congratulations, but I believe that seeing the medal brings a lot of delight to many people.

– Golden bliss.

He can do more with a gold medal than with a Masters green jacket.

“With the green jacket it’s pretty strict, when you’re out representing the club,” Scheffler joked. “With the Olympic medal, you can wear it, take pictures, do whatever you want.”

McIlroy, the FedEx Cup’s only three-time winner, thinks the playoffs can deliver a happy ending following his near misses.

The four-time major champion missed two short putts in the final three holes of this year’s US Open, finishing one stroke behind winner Bryson DeChambeau.

McIlroy last won a major in 2014, but he has won the FedEx Cup three times since.

“Overall, I’m pleased with how I’ve played this year,” McIlroy, who placed tied-fifth in the Paris Olympics, said.

“I have three tournaments coming up to attempt to make a good year even better.

“When the bulk of the season has come and gone and you’ve got this opportunity of three weeks to really, I guess, flip the script a little bit or change the narrative and what that season means, I think that’s a motivating factor.”