Scottie Scheffler has insisted he is not motivated by any personal rivalry with Rory McIlroy as the world's top two golfers prepare to renew their battle at this week's PGA Championship.
The 29-year-old arrives at Aronimink Golf Club as the defending champion and world No 1, with the American targeting a fifth major title.
Yet despite McIlroy's recent Masters triumph, his second in as many years, Scheffler says his focus remains firmly on his own game rather than the exploits of his closest challenger.
The pair have dominated men's golf in recent seasons, sharing five of the last nine major championships between them.
McIlroy strengthened his position as Scheffler's chief rival when he successfully defended the Masters in April, becoming only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back Green Jackets and moving onto six major titles.
The Northern Irishman arrives in Pennsylvania seeking a seventh major, although he briefly sparked concern on Tuesday after cutting short a practice round because of a painful blister on his right little toe.
McIlroy was seen removing his shoe several times before abandoning the session after three holes.
However, the 37-year-old is expected to be fit for Thursday after being fitted with a specially customised shoe and a toe separator designed to reduce friction.
Scottie Scheffler has insisted he is not motivated by any personal rivalry with Rory McIlroy as the world's top two golfers prepare to renew their battle at this week's PGA Championship
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Golf Central reporter Todd Lewis said McIlroy "should be OK" for the championship, while the player himself has downplayed the issue and insisted he is not worried.
Scheffler, though, says none of that alters his own approach.
"I would not say that the rivalry drives me," he said.
"When I look over the course of my life, my sources of motivation have always been internal."
Scottie Scheffler is looking to win the PGA Championship for the second year in a row
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Five quirky facts about golf | GETTYThe American explained that his greatest satisfaction comes from the pursuit of improvement rather than comparisons with others.
"When I can go out by myself and practice and have something that I want to improve on, that's one of my favourite things," he said.
"That's always been what's driven me."
Scheffler acknowledged his competitive nature, but stressed he does not seek inspiration from external factors.
"I also love competition. I don't like losing," he said.
"But at the end of the day, the preparation, getting ready to come out here and play is something that I really enjoy.
"I'm not thinking about something that somebody else is really good at."
The 29-year-old heads into the tournament in strong form despite a frustrating run of near misses.
Rory McIlroy enters the PGA Championship with a blister on his pinky causing him issues
| GETTYHe finished just one shot behind McIlroy at Augusta before recording runner-up finishes at the RBC Heritage and the Cadillac Championship.
Scheffler chose to skip last week's event in order to focus fully on Aronimink and believes his game is close to delivering another major triumph.
"Finishing second in a golf tournament is not bad," he said.
"Overall I'd say it's a little bit bittersweet.
"You know you're playing good golf and you'd love to get some wins."
He added: "Finishing second hurts but when you reflect, there's a lot less to clean up when you're finishing second than there is when you're finishing 30th."