Before Rory McIlroy won the Masters, and with it completed the career Grand Slam, theories abounded as to why it was taking him so long.
Now that he has a Green Jacket in his wardrobe there are lots of theories about what happens next.
Radio stations have had psychologist guests who suggest he will freewheel his way to more success – and other psychologists who say that he will be demotivated by finding his golfing nirvana.
Sport is always full of guessing games – it’s part of the fun – so let’s take a look at McIlroy’s schedule for the rest of 2025 and wonder what he could achieve if he does freewheel rather than settle for five major championship victories.
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans
Last year McIlroy won this pairs event alongside his old friend Shane Lowry and they are lined up to defend the title in Louisiana.
McIlroy has been home to see his parents but he did so on a private place so he shouldn’t be too jetlagged.
Last year’s victory prompted this celebration. More of the same this year?
The Truist Championship
He’s the defending champion and has won it four times but he’ll face a new test this year as the tournament temporarily moves to the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Yes, you did read that right. It’s a traditional layout, there’s no reason it should not suit him.
The PGA Championship
Why has the Truist moved? Because it’s normal venue – Quail Hollow – is hosting the second major of the year.
McIlroy has won there four times including twice in his last three visits and says he can play well there “even when I’m not in form”.
It should be the ideal spot to ride the major wave.
The Memorial Tournament
McIlroy has nine top 20s in the event hosted by Jack Nicklaus but no win.
Nicklaus talked McIlroy through his Masters strategy before his triumph – might he respond with victory at Jack’s place?
The US Open
McIlroy missed the cut when Oakmont last hosted the US Open but he is likely to be far more concerned with righting a few wrongs from 2023 and 2024 when he finished second to Wyndham Clark and Bryson DeChambeau.
The Open
If McIlroy does arrive in Northern Ireland with three majors to his name for 2025 then the atmosphere will be sensational. The calendar Grand Slam will be on.
Last time Portrush hosted he opened with an out of bounds tee shot and took four putts on the 16th as he totalled 79 in round one. But he responded with a magical 65 and he can repeat that if the form hasn’t flattened out by mid-summer.
The Tour Championship
McIlroy already has three wins on the PGA Tour this year, if he wins another major he’ll be in prime position to win the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup.
The Irish Open
McIlroy made a mess of winning this championship last year at Royal County Down but it’s back at The K Club this year where he won in 2016.
The BMW PGA Championship
Incredibly he’s only won this event once, in 2014, but he’s not been outside the top 10 in his last five visits – and three times he finished second.
The Ryder Cup
After victory in Rome two years ago McIlroy said he considered winning an away Ryder Cup to now be the biggest task in golf. “And we’re going to do it,” he added. Up against the rowdy New York galleries, and possibly in a febrile atmosphere given current American-European political angst, it would be a tremendous achievement if Europe could do it.
The DP World Tour Championship
He’s a three-time winner on the Earth Course at Jumeirah and, if the rest of 2025 continues to be as successful as the first four months of the year have been, McIlroy could close the best golfing year of his life with more success. If he wins the Race to Dubai he’d go one clear of Seve Ballesteros and one shy of Colin Montgomerie’s tally.
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