Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele is pleased for Rory McIlroy after he recently completed his career Grand Slam by finally getting his hands on the Masters.
However, he’s eager to finally “take down” the golf icon in his PGA Championship title defense next month. Schauffele, 31, enjoyed a remarkable 2024, where he claimed both the Claret Jug and the PGA Championship in just two months. And yet he has struggled in direct competitions against McIlroy.
McIlroy, 35, carded a fourth-round 65 that allowed him to overtake Schauffele and secure the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow last year. Not only that, but McIlroy edged out Schauffele in a playoff to win the 2019 WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
Their next face-off is scheduled to take place in Charlotte at the PGA Championship next month, which will also be hosted at Quail Hollow. And titleholder Schauffele is determined to close the gap in his head-to-head record against McIlroy, which has been predominantly one-sided.
“The times I think about competing against him, I feel like he’s gotten the best of me almost every time,” he told reporters. “Thinking back to Quail, I got the brunt of firing Rory McIlroy hitting it further and straighter than everyone, chipping and putting it better than everyone, and we kind of saw what that looked like in birdieing, I don’t know, what felt like every hole on the back nine.
“Looking back to China, played in a playoff against him. Lost. So I don’t really know any other heads-up moments that we’ve had.
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“But he’s accomplished the Grand Slam, which is big congrats to him. He already was but is going to go down as one of the greats that I’ve ever played against. Any chance you can get to sort of take him down or have a go, it’s always a good time.”
The sports world exploded after McIlroy clinched his legendary playoff victory over Justin Rose at Augusta earlier in April. With that win, he joined an elite club as the first golfer to secure their first career Grand Slam since Tiger Woods’ landmark achievement in 2000.
Schauffele is eyeing a spot on that prestigious list himself. The San Diego native is just a Masters and a US Open title away from completing his own Grand Slam, having already placed in the top three of both tournaments in 2019.
Only Scottie Scheffler and McIlroy are currently ranked higher than Schauffele, who sits at No3 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Although he’s never climbed higher than second, Schauffele could potentially reach the summit this summer if the stars align with his performances.
(Image: Harry How/Getty Images)
Following the Wells Fargo Championship – now known as the Truist Championship due to a sponsor change – Schauffele will have another opportunity to take on McIlroy at The Open in July. The final major of 2025 will be held at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, presenting its own unique challenges.
In a year where McIlroy finally achieved the Grand Slam, he is guaranteed a hero’s welcome in County Antrim. After expressing his relief at finally securing his Masters victory, the Holywood native could pose an even greater threat with that monkey off his back.
This will only further motivate a contender like Schauffele, who will be keen to upset the hometown favorite in front of his own fans. And he certainly won’t be short of motivation given his history of disappointments when competing against arguably the greatest golfer of this generation.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
