Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam?
Following in the footsteps of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, McIlroy's win at The Masters 2025 earned his place amongst golfing royalty. This is his story so far.
Video by Paula Dono Rodriguez and Julieann Tsang. Voiceover by Olivia Peden.
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Belfast Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
2025 Ryder Cup: The Team Europe state of play and predicting Luke Donald's panel at Bethpage Black
It's been a fine 2025 for the Europeans, with Rory McIlroy's Masters victory and career Grand Slam a standout moment, while Justin Rose outduelled JJ Spaun in a captivating Play-Off to win the FedEx St Jude Championship, although Tommy Fleetwood again suffered heartache in that event and at the Travelers Championship to ensure he remains the nearly man on the PGA Tour.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Martin Laird backs Robert MacIntyre for bigger things
There was a time, of course, when Martin Laird was that man of the moment as the Glasgow exile carried the saltire on the global stage with great gusto. 'It seems like a while ago,' smiled Laird with a sense of nostalgia that could've been accompanied by the wistful music of a colliery brass band. 'I am proud of what I have managed over the years, too. I was kind of flying the flag over in the States for a while and it is nice to see someone else come over and keep that flag on those leaderboards.' Laird has been making his first competitive outing in his homeland since 2018 and a third round one-over 73 at the Trump International Golf Links left him on the fringes of the top-30 on four-over heading into the final day. The 42-year-old, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, has been employing the services of MacIntyre's old caddie, Mike Thomson, this week and there have been plenty of conversations about the impact the Oban lefty has made. 'I've been talking about that with Mikey as he saw him when he first came out on tour,' said Laird, who reached a career high of 21st on the world rankings during his playing pomp. 'He was one of those guys you could always see had talent and he also had the right mindset. He admitted when I first started playing with him that the biggest thing he noticed was that his wedge game wasn't quite good enough. 'His wedge game is obviously way better. He hits it miles now, too. That's a pretty good combination.' Laird got to know his young compatriot when MacIntyre starting playing more regularly in the US. 'I'd heard of him but never knew him,' added Laird of a player who came close to a major breakthrough at June's US Open when he finished second. 'Then, when he first came over and we played a practice round together - it might even have been at The Masters or The PGA - I was like 'oh, yeah'. You can tell when someone hits a golf shot and it makes a nice noise. 'He's got a great attitude as well and I am not surprised at all to see him doing so well. I texted him after the US Open. He's someone who looks as though he is going to keep knocking on the door and, if he does, one of them is going to go his way. He's a hell of a player.' While Laird has been settled in the US since his college days at Colorado, MacIntyre took his time to adapt to life away from his Oban home. 'I think when he first came over, he thought 'I'll move to America and live there while I am playing' but then he realised that wasn't for him,' added Laird. 'He's now got that sorted out and I am not surprised to see him playing this well, especially in the big tournaments. 'There's not really a weakness in his game. He's still young and learning. He's only going to get better.' With Laird sitting in the middle of the pack in the Nexo Championship, another Scot, Ryan Lumsden, stayed on course for a bumper pay day as he moved into a share of ninth on one-under after a battling 70. Daniel Young is a shot back on level-par after a 73.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy clears up worst mistake amateur golfers can make and how to rectify it
Masters champion Rory McIlroy has given a key piece of advice to casual golfers who are eager to improve their rounds, urging them to focus on game management rather than distance Rory McIlroy has shared a keen piece of advice for amateur golfers desperate to improve their game. Part-time players can only dream of playing like the five-time major champion, but they can lower their handicap by taking a sensible, albeit 'boring', piece of guidance from the Northern Irishman. McIlroy often tees up with amateur players and celebrities on the eve of tournaments and there are a number of pro-am events on the PGA Tour. Understandably, many pick his brain on improving their game but, according to McIlroy, they often ask the wrong questions. Speaking after the recent Travelers Championship, the Masters champion said: 'I'll certainly help them to read a green. But the last thing they need is more swing thoughts in their head when they're playing in these pro-ams.' Rather than asking him how to improve their swing, players would be better off improving their course management and playing within their ability. McIlroy said: 'I think sometimes it's just they try to take shots on or they try to hit a shot that they probably could pull off once or twice out of 10 instead of playing a little bit more percentage. That's boring, but that's certainly the most effective way to lower your score.' Meanwhile, McIlroy is resetting his focus and his schedule in order to be on top form for Europe's defence of the Ryder Cup. Finishing a distant seventh to Open champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was not how he wanted to end his major season, especially on home soil at Royal Portrush. But having shown he is over the blip he encountered after his Masters win, which completed the career Grand Slam in April, the 36-year-old is keen to save his best for Bethpage in New York this September. He still has the FedEx Cup play-offs to navigate, although he has skipped the first leg of the play-offs, the St Jude Championship. But his real motivation comes the following month, which is why he will not be playing much as he looks to retain his sharpness. He said: 'I feel like being back in Europe for a bit was a nice reset. I feel like I'm getting back to where I want to be and we've still got a lot of golf left this year with obviously Ryder Cup being the big one in there in September. 'I don't want to play too much leading up to that because I want to be fresh, so I'm looking forward to a few weeks off here. I'll reflect on what's already been a good year and start to get myself ready for that run up to the Ryder Cup.' That good year began with victory at the Pebble Beach Pro-am in February and the Players Championship in March before the big one at Augusta the following month. He has not won since, while Scheffler has four victories, including two majors in The Open and US PGA, and therefore momentum. McIlroy thinks the sharpness he had at the start of the year has returned but insists his rival's success is not a motivating factor, adding: 'Yeah, I do feel good. But I also had the three wins when Scottie wasn't quite on his game. 'All I can do is focus on myself and try to play the best golf that I can. I know that, when I do that, I'll have my weeks where I'll contend and hopefully win.'
