Category: Professionals

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Rory McIlroy’s global tour: What his 2025 tournament schedule looks like

Rory McIlroy's global schedule. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy's global schedule. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy spoke big words about a more global future for golf at the start of 2024 – now he is putting his money where his mouth is. His tournament calendar for 2025 looks much more international than in previous years. The Northern Irishman wants to play less in the USA and focus more on tournaments that have fallen into oblivion for many professionals, especially national Opens with a long history.

Rory McIlroy: From Oakmont to Portrush

Right at the start of the summer, the first of several national championships gets underway: Rory McIlroy plays the Canadian Open, followed by the U.S. Open in Oakmont as the third major. The Travelers Championship in Connecticut is then on the agenda before things get more international – the Scottish Open on traditional links soil, followed by the Open Championship in July. However, the tournament at Royal Portrush is closer to a home game than almost any other.

This will be followed by the hot phase of the FedEx Cup play-offs in the USA. It remains to be seen whether Rory McIlroy will play all three stages. He already hinted in advance that he might miss the first event in Memphis. After that, his focus will clearly shift back towards Europe and Asia.

Finale in Asia and Australia?

September takes McIlroy to the Irish Open at the K Club – another building block in his “National Open” strategy. The flagship event of the DP World Tour, the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, follows immediately afterwards. After that, he will probably be part of the European Ryder Cup team. And then comes a special highlight: McIlroy’s first participation in the DP World India Championship in New Delhi – a completely new tournament that will be held for the first time in 2025.

The DP World Tour Playoffs will follow in November and December – and then another National Open date: the Australian Open at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Rory McIlroy returns to a place where he has not played for over a decade – this time with a two-year contract in his pocket. The tournaments in India and Australia are part of the “Back 9” phase of the DP World Tour and lead directly to the final in Dubai, which McIlroy also plans to play in.

Rory McIlroy’s schedule moving forward: National Open National Open (Oakmont 😉) Travelers National Open (His national) Open Championship FedEx Playoffs National Open (Irish) DPWT Flagship Ryder Cup India Championship (brand new) DPWT Playoffs National Open (Aussie) — Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) May 21, 2025

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Billy Horschel out for several months after hip surgery

(Photo: Getty)
(Photo: Getty)

Billy Horschel pulls the ripcord: After persistent problems, the eight-time PGA Tour winner has surgery on his right hip joint. This means a break of several months – in the middle of the decisive phase of the season.

Billy Horschel takes a break after hip surgery

The news came directly from himself: Billy Horschel announced earlier this week that he will undergo surgery on his right hip. The operation is to take place in Colorado and it is clear that the multiple PGA Tour winner will be out of the game for a while. His withdrawal from the Zurich Classic two weeks ago already suggested that something was wrong. Now it is clear that there is more to it than that. His statement speaks of a “preventative measure”, and the decision was made after consultation with doctors and the team. Billy Horschel hopes to be fit again by late summer or early fall. Until then, he will miss key tournaments – including the remaining majors.

Ryder Cup: Horschel’s chances dwindle

Billy Horschel has never been part of a Ryder Cup team – and now, of all times, when an opportunity could have presented itself, he has suffered a health setback. He is currently ranked 16th in the US rankings. Only six players qualify directly, the rest are in the hands of captain Keegan Bradley. Due to the forced break, Billy Horschel not only loses tournament starts, but above all time to collect points or recommend himself with strong performances. This makes a realistic Ryder Cup start more difficult – but the book is not yet closed.

What is still possible

Hope remains: if everything goes according to plan, Billy Horschel could tee off again in September – for example at the BMW PGA Championship, where he is the defending champion. The fall series of FedExCup events could also be a possibility. However, a start at the Open Championship in mid-July hardly seems feasible. And he remains eligible to play on the PGA Tour until 2026 thanks to his Memorial victory in 2022.

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Rory McIlroy: “Three goals for the rest of my career”

Rory McIlroy on his career goals. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy on his career goals. (Photo: Getty)

In an interview with BBC Sport, Rory McIlroy spoke about the big goals he has set himself for his golf career: “Winning the Masters, winning an Olympic medal and winning another away Ryder Cup, they are my three goals for the rest of my career,” said McIlroy. While the possibility of an Olympic medal will not become a reality again until 2028, he could realise victories at the Masters and the Ryder Cup as early as this year.

The desire for the green jacket

Rory McIlroy is still missing the Masters for the Grand Slam. The four-time major winner won the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014 and added another major victory in 2014 with the British Open.

Despite significant recent successes, such as the FedEx Cup victory in 2022, and his consistent presence as one of the best players in the world for over a decade, his last major win was several years ago. In 2024, victory at the US Open seemed within reach, but McIlroy finished a close second to Bryson DeChambeau. This year, he has resolved to play fewer tournaments and concentrate fully on the majors: “All of my practice, all of my prep, even the tournaments that I’m playing, it’s all geared towards being ready for those four events”, said McIlroy.

At the start of each year, his focus is on a single week in April – the week when the Masters takes place at Augusta National Golf Club and offers him another chance to finally secure that long-awaited green jacket. This year, the Masters will be held from 10 to 13 April. A win at the Masters would give McIlroy the Grand Slam and cement his status as one of the best golfers of all time.

He also has his sights firmly set on the US Open at Oakmont Country Club and the British Open, which will be held in his home country of Northern Ireland this year: “I’ve realised that all I can control is myself. What’s right for me right now is to fully focus on myself and to get the best out of myself and get back to winning the biggest tournaments in the world.”

The away Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup will take place on the Bethpage Black Course in New York in autumn 2025. After the European team achieved a clear victory in Rome in 2023, it will do everything in its power to defend the Ryder Cup in 2025. However, history shows that it is extremely difficult to win a Ryder Cup on foreign soil. In 2012, the European team managed to do so with Rory McIlroy after trailing by four points – a comeback that became known as the ‘Miracle of Medinah’. The American team has not won in Europe for over 30 years. McIlroy describes winning a Ryder Cup away from home as “one of the greatest achievements in the game right now”.

Under the leadership of captain Luke Donald, the European team will do everything in its power to triumph again in 2025. “It’s a very strong American team, a very partisan crowd. But we’ve got a wonderful captain and we’re going to have a wonderful team and we’re relishing the challenge”, said McIlroy.

This text was written on the basis of information from BBC Sport.

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Rory McIlroy: A Season Between Victories and the Futile Hunt for the 5th Major

Rory McIlroy's 2024 season in review. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy's 2024 season in review. (Photo: Getty)

A year full of contrasts – characterised by triumphs, setbacks and the eternal dream of the next major title. Rory McIlroy looks back on an eventful season highlighted by great moments on the course and personal turmoil off the fairway.

Rory McIlroy’s majors, personal crises and a missing fifth title

The season got off to a successful start for Rory McIlroy: he made an early statement on the DP World Tour with a victory at the Dubai Desert Classic. Back on the PGA Tour, he showed a different face – not alone, but as part of a well-rehearsed duo. Together with Shane Lowry, he triumphed at the Zurich Classic, a team event that often promises more fun than strategy. But when it came to the play-off, there was no more relaxation: McIlroy’s approach on the 18th hole was accurate to the millimetre and the subsequent putt secured the first PGA title of the season.

But McIlroy’s individual brilliance on the PGA Tour was evident at the Wells Fargo Championship. At Quail Hollow, he secured his fourth title at this tournament and dominated with a flawless final round, which was characterised by two eagles and a spectacular birdie putt on the 15th hole. ‘When Rory is on form, he’s unbeatable,’ said second-placed Xander Schauffele. The victory marked McIlroy’s 26th PGA Tour title – a strong signal ahead of the upcoming majors.

A rocky road to the US Open

But golf remains a game of uncertainties – and 2024 also had some bitter moments in store for McIlroy. The US Open was another chapter in the quest for his fifth major, which has been going on for years. Two shots ahead, only a few holes left to play, the end almost in sight – and yet victory slipped away from him. Two missed putts on the final holes not only left their mark on his score, but also on McIlroy’s expression. His withdrawal without talking to the media spoke volumes.

‘It was incredibly painful,’ admitted McIlroy at a later point after he was ready for interviews again. ‘I could be sitting here with a fifth major title – but I’m not. It stings and that’s something I have to come to terms with.’ At the same time, he looked at the positive aspects of his season: ‘I was incredibly consistent again. I’m proud of that. But the thoughts of the missed opportunities remain.’

Headlines off the fairways too

In addition to his sporting achievements, Rory McIlroy also made headlines off the course in 2024. Active as ‘Player Director’ on the PGA Tour Policy Board since 2022, he became a central figure in the negotiations between the PGA Tour and the controversial LIV Golf League. But the burden grew: ‘It wasn’t what I signed up for,’ McIlroy explained after his surprise resignation in November.

Just a few months later, however, he hinted at a return to the committee after Webb Simpson vacated his seat. ‘I think I can be helpful,’ said McIlroy, who continues to see a united golf world as a goal.

This back-and-forth comes alongside another setback for the Northern Irishman: reports of an impending divorce from his wife Erica Stoll appeared to be weighing on his mind. But in a surprise twist just before the US Open, the separation was withdrawn – a personal birdie putt that put McIlroy back on his feet.

The grand finale in Dubai: a worthy end to the season

The months between the majors were a rollercoaster ride of emotions: From missing the chance to win the Irish Open at home to losing the play-off at the BMW PGA Championship to the season finale, McIlroy experienced highs and lows. This phase, characterised by frustration, culminated in a moment of redemption: the triumph in Dubai.

Like the experienced golfer that he is, McIlroy found his way back to his best form. At the DP World Tour Championship, he left no doubt as to why his name has been at the top of the world’s leaderboards for years. The duel with young Dane Rasmus Højgaard had it all: setbacks, comebacks, and finally a determined McIlroy, who sealed his third title of the tournament and sixth DP World Tour title of the season with a birdie on the 18th hole.

blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”>

That feeling when you win your sixth Race to Dubai title😎🏆#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/ACZjqqLGcz

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 18, 2024

With tears in his eyes, he spoke about the legacy of this victory: ‘Seve was always a role model for me. To catch up with him in the number of wins this season is something I never thought possible.’ For a moment, it was clear that even a player like McIlroy, whose name has long been a legend, is still inspired by the great gestures of the game.

The comparison with Seve Ballesteros emphasises McIlroy’s position in golf. But despite this historic success, there was still one downer: McIlroy’s long search for a fifth major title, which did not lead him to his goal in 2024.

A year full of meaning

Rory McIlroy’s 2024 season was a mixture of extraordinary successes and painful moments. While he equalled Seve Ballesteros and further cemented his place in golf history, the pursuit of more majors remains the drive of a player who is never satisfied. ‘If I had to rate the season, it would probably be an eight out of ten,’ said McIlroy in Dubai. ‘Not perfect, but a solid year.’

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Rory McIlroy “would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup”

Rory McIlroy on being paid at the Ryder Cup (Photo: Getty).
Rory McIlroy on being paid at the Ryder Cup (Photo: Getty).

While the US players are to receive 400,000 US dollars for their participation in the Ryder Cup from next year, Rory McIlroy and his teammates Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton firmly reject any financial reward. For them, the Ryder Cup is not just a tournament, but a symbol of pride, passion and team spirit. The biennial tournament, which has so far been held without payment for the players, is now to receive a financial component on the American side for the first time from 2025.

Rory McIlroy: Ryder Cup “a privilege”

Rory McIlroy made it unmistakably clear that the competition and the honor are his priority, not the money. “I personally would pay for the privilege to play on the Ryder Cup,” said McIlroy in an interview with the BBC at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. For him, the Ryder Cup represents one of the purest forms of golf. “The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and it’s partly because of that, the purity of no money being involved.” McIlroy sees the Ryder Cup as more than just a golf competition: “But the Ryder Cup is so much more than that, especially to the Europeans and to this tour.”

McIlroy also argues: “The common consensus among us is that $5m would be better off spent elsewhere on the DP World Tour to support other events or even to support The Challenge Tour.” This illustrates that the DP World Tour is much more reliant on the money raised from the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy showed understanding for the Americans’ decision, but warned of the potential impact of payment on the competition. “I can see the other side of the argument because the Ryder Cup does create a lot of revenue.“ said McIlroy. Nevertheless, he emphasized that money would significantly change the dynamics of the event. “ “I think we would all welcome money if it didn’t change the dynamic but the money really would change the dynamic,” explained the Northern Irishman.

Ryder Cup a privilege for European players

Other European players such as Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton echoed this sentiment. Tyrrell Hatton emphasized: “I’ve never thought about being paid to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s such an honour to be a part of that 12 that play.”

Lowry made it clear that the DP World Tour has no plans to pay its players and he doesn’t believe it makes a difference if one side is remunerated. For the former Open champion, the Ryder Cup is motivation enough anyway. Lowry already feels rewarded by the experience and the opportunities it brings. The prospect of being on the team again spurs him on: “Like I’d give anything to know I’m on the team next year. I’m going to spend the next ten months stressing my head off trying to make the team.”

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Jordan Spieth Hopes for Comeback After Successful Operation

Jordan Spieth's surgery was successful. (Source: Getty)
Jordan Spieth's surgery was successful. (Source: Getty)

Recently, we reported that Jordan Spieth would be using his early season exit to undergo surgery on his left wrist. Now, the three-time major winner has shared via social media that the operation went as planned and that he is on the road to recovery. “I had procedure on my left wrist last week, as I had mentioned was the plan. The operation went smoothly and I’m grateful for the exceptional medical team and support of Annie and my family. Focused on rest and rehab, and I look forward to returning to golf healthy and prepared for 2025,” Spieth wrote on X.

Jordan Spieth Hopes for a Swift Comeback

Despite the successful procedure, Spieth still has a long road ahead. The wrist is crucial for a golfer, and in Spieth’s case, his left wrist has been troubling him for some time. This has also been reflected in his performances, which have been rather inconsistent in recent years. Spieth’s last PGA Tour win came 28 months ago at the RBC Heritage in Harbour Town. Since then, his career has seen highs and lows: a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Masters, another near-win at the RBC, but also 14 missed cuts and a disqualification have marked his recent journey. Notably, his swing has changed – his clubface is now much more closed at the top of his backswing than it was during his peak in 2015. Experts like Brandel Chamblee expressed surprise at this change as golf.com reports.

Spieth’s ongoing issues with his left arm and wrist trace back to an injury in 2018 when he fractured a bone in his left hand, an injury he admits he never fully addressed. In May 2023, Spieth had to withdraw from the Byron Nelson tournament in his hometown of Dallas due to acute wrist pain. Although he competed in the PGA Championship at Oak Hill a week later, he wasn’t fully recovered. More setbacks followed in October of that year after the Ryder Cup when Spieth re-injured his wrist – this time while lifting a toaster at home. After several tests, doctors finally diagnosed ulnar nerve damage, providing him with much-needed clarity regarding his condition. “I believe that if I stay on top of this, I can structurally do what’s necessary to play my best golf again,” Spieth said optimistically at the time.

Now, after the successful surgery, the Texan begins the long journey back to his best form. It will be interesting to see how Spieth performs in 2025.

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Surgery: Jordan Spieth Uses Early End of Season to Take a Big Step

Jordan Spieth will undergo wrist surgery after FedExCup out. (Image: Getty)
Jordan Spieth will undergo wrist surgery after FedExCup out. (Image: Getty)

After more than a year in which his wrist has repeatedly caused problems, Jordan Spieth will now undergo an operation. He made the announcement on Sunday after the first PGA Tour play-off event, in which he finished third last. The problem is a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, which holds the tendon in place. The tear first appeared a week before the 2023 PGA Championship, and Spieth has tried various treatments to avoid surgery. Spieth did not comment on the details of the upcoming procedure, saying only that doctors need to “recreate the tendon” in his left wrist “so it doesn’t dislocate.”

Unavoidable: Jordan Spieth needs an operation

Jordan Spieth’s season has ended early for only the second time in his career, as his performance was not good enough to qualify for the remaining play-off events. Spieth now wants to make the most of this time and have an operation as soon as possible. Spieth reckons it will take around three months for his wrist to recover. “Yeah I’m going to get operated on ASAP, we’ll go through the process from there.” said Spieth after the FedEx St. Jude Championship 2024.

As Spieth explained to reporters a few weeks ago, the injury began with a broken bone in his wrist, which caused inflammation. This injury had even occurred in 2018. However, as he played golf largely pain-free, he tried to treat the problem without surgery. Since the 2023 season, the condition of his wrist deteriorated and he dropped from 10th place in the world rankings to 43rd. The former world number 1 missed the cut eight times in 21 tournament starts.

‘I am very hopeful’

The wrist treatment gives Spieth hope of finally emerging from his slump, although he has never had any pain in his wrist while swinging: “But it doesn’t seem coincidental based on the amount of time, and really the results being the exact same every single week. So I’m very hopeful.” Apart from playing off the tee, the injury has been a constant burden: “Anything that impacted the ground was not a good situation for me this year,”

As Spieth has no firm plans for upcoming tournaments, he wants to approach the wrist surgery with as much patience as possible, which he finds difficult.”Other than two kids under 3, which makes it quite a bit harder with one arm,” he said.

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Scottie Scheffler: $8 Million Earned While Sitting on the Couch

Scottie Scheffler secured a massive bonus due to his dominance on the PGA Tour. (Source: Getty)
Scottie Scheffler secured a massive bonus due to his dominance on the PGA Tour. (Source: Getty)

Sounding like something out of a fairy tale, Scottie Scheffler, the reigning Olympic champion, found himself $8 million richer this past weekend—all while relaxing on the couch with his family. While many of his peers were battling it out at the Wyndham Championship and the women were competing in golf at the Olympics in Paris, Scheffler opted for a quieter weekend at home with his wife Meredith and their baby, Bennett.

Scottie Scheffler Collects Big Bonus

Despite not swinging a club, the World No. 1 golfer saw his bank account swell overnight, thanks to the “Comcast Business Tour Top 10” bonus. Scheffler secured this massive payout by dominating the season-long points race, a competition that concluded with the Wyndham Championship. His lead was so substantial that no one could catch him, ensuring he would take home the top prize.

This windfall brings Scheffler’s earnings for the season to an astounding $36.148 million, including both prizes and bonuses. And the season isn’t over yet. With the FedEx Cup Playoffs just around the corner, there are still several lucrative opportunities on the horizon.

Scheffler’s success this year is nothing short of remarkable, and his latest financial gain—earned without lifting a finger—highlights just how dominant he has been throughout the season. As the playoffs loom, all eyes will be on Scheffler to see if he can continue this incredible run and add even more to his already impressive earnings.

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Bryson DeChambeau: Stellar Year Overshadowed by Olympic Snub

Here's why the US Open Champion isn't qualified for the Olympic Games 2024. (Source: Getty)
Here's why the US Open Champion isn't qualified for the Olympic Games 2024. (Source: Getty)

Bryson DeChambeau has recently voiced his disappointment at not being selected for the U.S. Olympic golf team for the 2024 Paris Games. This comes despite his remarkable performance this year, including a triumphant win at the U.S. Open.

LIV Golf Membership Spoils Participation in the Olympics

Two years ago, DeChambeau made the controversial decision to join LIV Golf, expecting that the league would soon be recognized by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) system. Unfortunately, this has not materialized, leading to significant repercussions for DeChambeau and his fellow LIV golfers. The most recent impact is DeChambeau’s exclusion from the U.S. Olympic team.

In a pre-tournament press conference at LIV Golf Nashville, DeChambeau discussed his feelings about the situation. “It’s disappointing, but I understand the decisions I made, and the way things have played out has not been necessarily perfectly according to plan,” he said. “I’ve done my best up until now to give myself a chance according to the OWGR, but I realize and respect where the current situation of the game is, albeit it’s frustrating and disappointing.”

Bryson DeChambeau in great form

DeChambeau’s stellar performance this year, which includes a T-6 finish at the Masters and a second-place finish at the PGA Championship, culminated in his second U.S. Open victory. Despite these achievements, his inability to accumulate enough ranking points through LIV Golf events—which do not contribute to the OWGR—has left him outside the top four Americans eligible for the Olympics. Currently ranked No. 10 in the world, DeChambeau’s position was insufficient to surpass Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark, who will represent the U.S. in Paris.

Reflecting on his past experiences representing Team USA, DeChambeau expressed a deep sense of pride and nostalgia. “I have always loved representing Team USA, whether it’s been the world team amateur, the Walker Cup, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup. It’s been some of the greatest moments of my life,” he said. “Anytime you get a chance to represent your country, I’m all for it.” Looking ahead, DeChambeau remains hopeful. “Hopefully 2028 will be a little different situation, and it will make it that much sweeter,” he concluded, signaling his continued ambition to represent his country on the Olympic stage in the future.

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Rory McIlroy Annuls His Divorce Before the US Open 2024

Happier together: Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica have decided to stay together. (Source: Getty)
Happier together: Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica have decided to stay together. (Source: Getty)

Just before the US Open 2024 at Pinehurst, Rory McIlroy’s confident demeanor has been clarified: the divorce petition he filed in Florida last month has been voluntarily dismissed. McIlroy and his wife of seven years, Erica, have resolved their differences and decided to stay together.

Rory McIlroy Signed Divorce Petition Before PGA Championship

The initial news of the divorce came as a shock to the golfing world, particularly given its timing just before the PGA Championship. However, recent court documents reveal that the case has been dismissed at the request of both parties. This development coincides with McIlroy’s noticeably positive mood during his media engagements at Pinehurst. Addressing the rumors surrounding his personal life, McIlroy told the Guardian, “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

McIlroy Chases Fifth Major Title

This reconciliation couldn’t come at a better time for McIlroy, who is looking to end his wait for a fifth major title, a quest that has lasted since August 2014. Partnering with Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in the first two rounds of the US Open 2024, McIlroy’s focus is now firmly on the task ahead. Reflecting on his career, McIlroy expressed pride in his achievements over the past 15 years. “I’m really proud of my body of work over the past 15 years and everything that I have achieved, whether it be season-long titles or individual tournaments or majors,” he said. “Obviously getting my hands on a fifth major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m right there, that I’m as close as I’ve ever been.”