With Rory McIlroy currently playing some of the best golf of his career, other PGA Tour players are watching the Career Grand Slam champion in awe.
But the 35-year-old’s sensational victory at Augusta National has sent a warning signal out to other competitors on the US circuit, with many now backing the Northern Irishman to capitalise on his fine vein of form and ‘rattle off’ multiple titles this season.
Ten days ago, McIlroy shook off the pressure that has weighed him down at The Masters for so long as he finally donned the coveted Green Jacket.
With this now being his third PGA Tour victory so far this season, 2024 Open Champion Xander Schauffele believes that McIlroy, who is playing ‘free’ from the burden of chasing the Career Grand Slam, will ‘rattle off’ more major titles in 2025.
‘He is a generational talent and to do what he did is incredible for the game of golf,’ the two-time major winner said on Tuesday.
‘If that was something that was holding him back and now he feels free, that could be a pretty scary thing.’
Xander Schauffele says Rory McIlroy’s (pictured) Career Grand Slam victory is a ‘scary prospect’ for the rest of the PGA TOur
The American (left) is now backing the Northern Irishman (right) to ‘rattle off’ several more victories this season
Schauffele gave an insight on what it’s like to play against McIlroy (pictured), saying that when the Northern Irishman is on his A-game ‘it’s not fun’ for his opponent
Schauffele also lifted the lid on what it’s like to play against McIlroy when he’s on his A-game.
‘He has all the tools,’ the US star added. ‘I’ve played against him when he’s firing on all cylinders and it’s not fun for me. It’s fun for everyone else to watch but it’s hard to beat.
‘Would I be surprised if he started rattling [more majors] off? No. Am I going to be there to try and stop him? Absolutely.’
McIlroy is now set to link up with Shane Lowry this week as the European Ryder Cup stars prepare to defend their title at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans.
The Northern Irishman’s next chance to pick up a major will come at Quail Hollow on May 15, where Schauffle will look to defend his 2024 PGA Championship title. McIlroy, who currently ranks first in the FedEx Cup standings, has an excellent record around the New Orleans track, having won the Wells Fargo Championship, hosted at Quail Hollow, four times – notably last winning here in 2024.
The major schedule then moves to the Oakmont Country Club for the US Open, before McIlroy returns to home to Northern Ireland in July to compete for the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush.
While the three-time FedEx Cup champion will be well supported by home fans as he tees it up on the Antrim coast, Schauffele, interestingly believes he can use that in his favour to beat McIlroy in his back yard.
‘One of their own just won the grand slam, so everyone wants to get a piece of him,’ the American Ryder Cup star said. ‘That’s no different for the media.
Schauffele (pictured) added that McIlroy’s epic achievement two weeks ago has inspired him to go on to challenge for a Career Grand Slam himself
The 2020 Olympic Champion broke his major duck last season, after winning both the PGA Tour and Open Champion
But Schauffele reveals he has a plan to defend his Claret Jug this summer against Mcilroy, even with the Northern Irishman set to challenge for the Open Championship on home soil
‘If I can use it to my advantage to sort of cruise along and fly under the radar, that’s exactly what I’ll do.’
But having watched McIlroy etch his name among Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and, of course, Tiger Woods as one of only six players to have won the Career Grand Slam, the 2024 Open Champion, Schauffele is feeling inspired to add his name to that elite group.
‘It’s something that’s been written down a long time ago and something I think every golfer should try and achieve,’ he said.
‘There’s a reason there’s only been six of them (male golfers) to ever do it. But until last year it felt like it was impossible, almost.’
The 2020 Olympic Champion enjoyed a stand-out year on the PGA Tour, first breaking his duck for a major title at the PGA Championship, before winning at Royal Troon.
Once dubbed ‘golf’s nearly man’, having come so agonisingly close to winning majors in the past, Schauffele is buoyed by his achievements in 2024.
‘After a year like last year, it definitely lets a young pro like myself dream a little bit more again.
‘It’s something I definitely look forward to challenging myself to accomplish in my career. It’ll be a lot of fun to try and do.’
