Rory McIlroy’s true colours shown with comments on rivals Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth

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Rory McIlroy has called on the golf media to finally shine the spotlight on the likes of fellow stars Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth, rather than focusing so heavily on him. The 36-year-old is back in action at the Truist Championship following a short hiatus after his historic Masters victory at Augusta.

The Holywood golf star took a break from the sport after securing his career grand slam and clinching his first major title since 2014. He made a recent return at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he teamed up with Clara star Shane Lowry.

McIlroy is now competing in Philadelphia at the Truist Championship, eyeing the £2.72million ($3.6m) winner's purse. Despite being a bit out of practice and finishing four under par in the opening round on Thursday, five shots behind the leader, he's still in the hunt for the title.

He's keen, though, for the press to divert their attention away from his past major drought, which lasted 11 years, and instead track the progress of other leading figures in the sport. His comments came after he was questioned about what the media would talk to him about now that the major question has been answered.

McIlroy said: "Hopefully in two weeks time you're talking about me being a six-time major champion instead of a five-time major champion."

He then added: "I was really referencing that specific tournament and sort of what we talk about in that building every year for the last 10 years. There's enough great story lines in golf.

"Whether it be like Scottie won by a million last week and seems to be playing back to his best. You've got Jordan Spieth going for the career grand slam next week. You've got a lot of exciting stuff happening in the women's game. There's always great story lines in golf, and it certainly doesn't just have to be about me."

(Image: Getty Images for the CJ Cup)

McIlroy's remarks reveal his true nature as someone who shuns the limelight, preferring to see others receive recognition and media attention. Notably absent at the Philadelphia Cricket Club is Scheffler.

The World No.1, fresh from setting a new course record low aggregate score of 253 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas, chose to stay behind to enjoy some family time.

Spieth, on the other hand, has been showing formidable form recently and aims to emulate McIlroy's feat of a career grand slam, having not won a major since 2017. He carded an even round to start at the Truist Championship.

Defending champion McIlroy kicked off his campaign in Philadelphia with a solid 66, featuring six birdies and bogeys on the 11th and 15th holes.

(Image: Getty Images)

McIlroy, trailing five strokes behind the first-day leader Keith Mitchell at nine under, has admitted his first priority is to prepare for the PGA Championship starting next Thursday in North Carolina.

McIlroy said: "I don't want to diminish this tournament and this championship. But to me, with everything that's happened over the past couple of weeks, this was always going to be a great prep week for me to see where my game was and sort of refine a few things.

"I still want to play well, and I still want to have a chance to win the tournament. But I'll have a much better gauge of where my game is going into next week after these four days than I would have had if I hadn't had played or if I just spent the week at home practising."

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