Even after the incredible drama of his career Grand Slam-completing Masters victory, Rory McIlroy’s 2025 golf season still holds numerous possibilities that could potentially match that memorable achievement.
McIlroy is scheduled to return to competition next week in New Orleans, where he and close friend Shane Lowry will defend their Zurich Classic title, an event that doesn’t award world ranking points.
The Northern Irishman’s Augusta triumph significantly reduced Scottie Scheffler’s world rankings lead from 4.18 to 2.81 points, though the world number one still maintains a comfortable advantage. The duo has established a considerable gap ahead of third-ranked Xander Schauffele, the reigning Open and US PGA champion, who trails McIlroy by 3.76 points.
With McIlroy skipping this week’s RBC Heritage in South Carolina, Scheffler, who finished just three strokes behind in fourth place at Augusta despite not being in serious contention over the weekend, has an opportunity to increase his rankings lead.
Following the two-man Zurich Classic, McIlroy will have only three weeks until the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, a venue where he has previously won four times. After ending his 11-year major drought in Georgia, McIlroy will likely be the favorite to quickly add another major in North Carolina.
McIlroy secured his first PGA Tour victory at Quail Hollow in 2010, shooting a remarkable final-round 62 to win by four strokes after barely making the cut. He dominated the course again with a seven-shot victory in 2015, won in 2021, and claimed last year’s Wells Fargo Championship by five strokes over Schauffele. While the major championship setup will be more challenging, few will enter the US PGA with more confidence than the now five-time major winner.
The major championship schedule continues with the US Open at Oakmont from June 12-15. Should McIlroy add the US PGA title to his Masters victory before arriving at the Pittsburgh course, anticipation would be extraordinary. McIlroy has proven his US Open capabilities with his eight-shot victory at Congressional in 2011, though he missed the cut when Oakmont last hosted in 2016, as Dustin Johnson claimed his first major.
The focus will then shift to Royal Portrush for the Open Championship, where McIlroy aims to redeem himself after missing the cut when the tournament returned to the County Antrim course in 2019 after a 68-year absence. Despite enormous expectations, McIlroy struggled with an opening-round 79, including a disastrous first hole where he hit his tee shot out of bounds. Despite a valiant second-round 65, he missed the cut by one strokeโa surprising outcome for someone who shot 61 on the Dunluce links as a 16-year-old amateur in 2005.
If anything could surpass Sunday’s emotions at Augusta, it would be McIlroy lifting the Claret Jug for a second time before his home crowd.
After the majors conclude, the Ryder Cup will take place at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26-28, with Europe seeking their fifth victory on American soil following previous away triumphs in 1987, 1995, 2004, and 2012. While miracles like the one McIlroy helped create at Medinah in 2012 are rare, he’ll undoubtedly be ready to lead European hopes.
McIlroy could also enter the biennial match having secured a fourth PGA Tour FedEx Cup title, adding to his 2016, 2019, and 2022 victories. He already holds a substantial lead in the PGA Tour standings after three early-season wins, though the playoff system ensures many players remain in contention for the $25 million first prize.
His 2025 campaign will likely conclude in mid-November at the DP World Tour Championship, where he clinched his sixth Race to Dubai title last autumn.
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