The only positive for most of the 2025 season was Rory McIlroy’s wins at Pebble Beach and The Players.
But neither victory did much to inject much-needed adrenaline into a golf lackluster season, but it did provide a large talking point going into Augusta and then the Ulsterman delivered winning the Masters, finally getting his Green Jacket and career Grand Slam.
Justin Thomas broke a two-year winless drought at the Heritage a week later.
Now, on Sunday, world no. 1 Scottie Scheffler overcame a pesky wine glass during the holidays, which forced him to the sidelines for all of January before he returned to professional golf.
It would take an additional nine tournaments before Scheffler would break through spectacularly with an eight-shot victory at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
And as a bonus, Jordan Spieth shot a final round 62, his lowest round since shooting a 62 in the second round of The Northern Trust in August 2021.
The solo fourth ties his finish at the Phoenix Open and his third top 10 this season.
“I think any time somebody has beaten any of us out here, I think we’re all — I guess you could say inspired, but I think we’re all fired up to come out here and compete,” Scheffler said in his winning press conference of McIlroy. “I think that’s what’s great about our game. Week in and week out, we get to come out here and compete. This week I was the best player. I have the week off, and we’ll see the week after who is the best player at the PGA.”
The PGA Championship is in two weeks and now has more than a singular focus.
While McIlroy is the favorite, partly because of his season so far and his success at Quail Hollow, which includes four wins, the last coming last year, others have a legitimate claim to favorite status.
“Rory has been playing some tremendous golf this year,” Scheffler said. “The career grand slam was really special to watch. I was glad to be able to be there for it. I think any time you’re getting beat, you’re always fired up just a little bit extra to go out and practice.”
Both Scheffler, who believes his game is trending in the right direction, and Spieth, who needed an injection of confidence, which he received on Sunday in Dallas, will be a focus in Charlotte in two weeks along with McIlroy and Thomas..
“I hate admitting that about anybody, but I just watched it those first two rounds, and like I’ve got to get better, it’s very inspiring,” Speith said of his pairing with Scheffler the first two rounds. “It’s this event, but it could be anywhere. I’m not jealous of him winning this event over any other. I’m jealous of anyone that wins any week. I want to be the person there, and that’s my drive.”
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