Check in every week for the unvarnished views of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by contacting us at @golf_com. This week, we talk about Rory Mcyroy remember 2025 and look ahead to the LPGA season.
Rory McIlroy lost the DP World Tour Championship to Matt Fitzpatrick but still won the long-running Dubai DRAST title, and helped Europe win the Ryder Cup. Has MICloy’s best year ever been there?
James Colgan, news and editor (@ Jamescolgan26): This was an all-time great season for Rory’s career, but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, the Grand Slam was great, and yes, the road Ryder Cup Win (something he himself called one of the most difficult achievements in golf) does not hurt. But for my money, the sum of these accomplishments is far better than the sum of the parts. This was the year of MICLOOL himself as the greatest player of his generation, and whether he continues to win more or more victories, this year will always be very important for his lasting gender or after it.
Josh Sens, senior author (@josh_sens): Definitely. It wasn’t just what he won but the way he won. It’s a wild ride on the way to winning the championship, ending a 10-year drought in a tournament that has given more hearts than any other. And of course that shows at the RYDER Cup, backed up by his prediction amid the scorn from the crowd. Those moments will go down in the collective memory more than any other results of the season.
Josh Schrock, News Editor (@schrock_and_awo): There are no questions. As my colleagues noted, it’s not just what he does, but how he does it and where he does it. He’s won at Pebble, TPC sawgrass and Augusta National, personal ghosts evolving and avoiding what could have been a soul collapse. He went from depression to depression after winning the masters, had an encouraging open week, won the Irish open in exciting fashion and then led Europe to a Ryder Cup win. As James noted, she is the greatest player of her generation and may have hailed herself as Europe’s greatest grandmother of all time.
McIlroy’s seventh Race to Dubai titles is just shy of Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight, which McIlroy looks set to tie or break. Did MICLOY get enough credit for its worldwide success?
The Khoggan: I feel like rory in crime low-level crime abroad is probably running amok among golf buddies today. But I think this goes back to what I was saying above: All those other accolades were a little bit … empty when the big seed was dry. Now that the drought is over, we can see those achievements in their fullness.
The feeling: Hmm. I don’t know. He collected $1.2 million for second place in the event, and another $2 million for winning the long race, and his name appeared in the headlines of all golf publications around the world. What should we do? Start directing monuments to his reputation? He has accomplished a lot overseas. But he doesn’t really advertise the whole world in a piece of stars from previous generations. You play the selected program and get more rewards.
Schrock: I think Colgan put it in. Rory has been flexible, universally beautiful for more than ten years, but a big slump, countless heartbeats and a lost green jacket have caused many to forget the big picture.
Speaking of McIlroy, it was announced the teams of the Golf Channel Showdown Scheffler and Scottie Scheffler on December 17. Do you think that the unique spin will be enough to draw better than other TV matchups made?
The Khoggan: I mean, I think it’s funny that we fill the quiet season of golf with … more golf. If there is evidence that real people actually want to watch these events, I haven’t seen it. But for those of us writing about the game, these made-for-TV shenanigans are better than the black hole of nothingness on the golf calendar, so … I guess that’s good?
The feeling: Well you said, James. It’s hard to get overly excited about an event like this. But complaining about them from this point seems a bit contradictory.
Schrock: Subscribe to the above. New PGA Tour CEO Brian RolApp has emphasized the importance of innovation in developing the professional golf brand. This is the opposite. I’m all for taking turns, but I’m having trouble seeing this break.
The LPGA season ends next week with the CME Group Tour Chain Championship in Naples, Fla., and it will be Nelly Korda’s last chance to win. Korda won Seven Seasons last year – how are you one week away from an undiscovered season?
The Khoggan: Yes, it’s shocking – and disappointing, too, if you’re an LPGA – but I think the easiest EaneA is lying flat. Korda is ranked 98th on the 2025 Putts-Per-Final-Round and 101st in Three-Putt Average. Interestingly, that’s not far from where Korda has run in those categories in his seven 2024 runs. But when you see the differences – and the restoration of some of the elements of his last game – it is not difficult to reveal the difference that won seven.
The feelingGolf is a very fickle game where very small margins can separate success from failure, nowhere more so than at the top level. When the irons are just a hair, when the putts used to go down start to be eaten by the cup – those small pressures produce inferior results. If anything, this year emphasizes just how great his 2024 was.
Schrock: The answer lies in a little bit of everything. The placement has held him back when he’s had an argument. He has been dealing with a neck injury that may be more painful than ever. He also revealed that he has been dealing with the problem of throwing when he has been dealing with looks that have been brought up. It is also difficult to win. His stats aren’t as bad as last year, but he hasn’t put together a ton and when he was in the crowd at Erin Hills, the putter betrayed him.
What is the most interesting interest in Anika’s Anika: Wnba Star Caitlin Clark attracting Monster Pro-Amber drawings, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, getting a sponsor’s release and shooting 83-75 to remember the cut?
The Khoggan: There were many very bad people who rushed to the defense of the President’s grandson with allegations that … he might not get an invitation to his golf benefit. (No offense to Kai, his Tiktok megastardom made him a big enough presence to be released as a sponsor, but I didn’t see that this was the point of the debate!) If the LPGA can turn even eleven percent, it will be worth the effort!
The feeling: While it’s fun to watch Clark shift from the court to the course, it’s always more interesting to see a great player try to compete at the next level. It’s an in-your-face reminder of the gap between moving forward and resting. I guess you could say that the way these political figures are colored by their pardon of Kai is also interesting. But mostly that was just stressful.
Schrock: The most interesting subplot is what the LPGA can do to try and keep more Clarks and Trump. It’s great that Clark is into golf and can introduce his fans to golf. Chasing Pro-AM is a win! Giving Trump a Grant Invitation is a great opportunity for social groups, but if there isn’t a big plan to go around with money moving around like this, then very little will be said. The LPGA should be applauded for trying things to increase creativity, interest, etc.
