Scottie Scheffler speaks out after being slammed for gesture towards Rory McIlroy during Masters ceremony

Scottie Scheffler has finally spoken out after he was slammed by fans for what he did when presenting Rory McIlroy with his green jacket at the Masters.

Scheffler, 28, came fourth at the Masters as McIlroy, 35, secured his first-ever triumph at the tournament, which meant he captured the career Grand Slam at the 11^th time of asking as well as breaking his 11-year duck having previously been without a major title victory since 2014.

"This is my 17th time here, and I started to wonder if it would ever be my time?." said McIlroy after his triumph.

"I'd say it was 14 years in the making, from going out with the four-shot lead in 2011 - feeling like I could have got it done there.

"There was a lot of pent up emotion that just came out on the 18th green. But a moment like that makes all of the years and close calls worth it."

And Scheffler, who won the 2024 edition of the competition, was trusted with presenting McIlroy with his green jacket – although fans slammed him for his gesture towards the Northern Irishman.

One said: “Scottie Scheffler was off like a shot after handing Rory his green jacket."

Another added: “Pretty awkward to put the jacket on him then just stand there wondering what the hell I’m supposed to do now. He put the jacket on Rory then left.”

While a third slammed: "What's the story with Scottie? Not even a 'well done' and just melted away. Very awkward."

However, Scheffler has now clarified his actions and explained why he "tried to stay out of the way".

Scottie Scheffler presented Rory McIlroy with his green jacket at the Masters (Credit:Getty)

"It was such an emotional day for him," Scheffler said when speaking to Sky Sports.

"I kind of just tried to stay out of the way and basically just get the jacket on without embarrassing him or myself.

"I watched the finish and it was really cool for me to be able to see because I don't have the understanding of what it's like to be asked about the career Grand Slam.

"But I have like a small understanding of what it's like to be asked like, 'Hey you've accomplished this but you haven't accomplished that'.

"And it can be very taxing on people sometimes. So it was cool to be able to see Rory get the job done."