‘It’s time’ – Rory McIlroy aiming for golf immorality but one huge rival stands in way of historic calendar slam
Brian T. Smith, Senior US Reporter
Rory McIlroy is one major championship away from a whole new round of questions.
Winning the Masters and finally putting on the famous Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Course is an official part of McIlroy’s life.
Rory McIlroy is eyeing a golfing feat never accomplished before
Rory McIlroy is eyeing a golfing feat never accomplished beforeCredit: Getty
But with that supposed ‘curse’ in the rear view, there’s a new reality that the 36-year-old McIlroy will face as the 2025 PGA Championship begins at Quail Hollow.
If McIlroy claims his third PGA Championship trophy — the Northern Ireland golfer previously won the tournament in the 2012 and 2013-14 campaigns — he will be on track to complete a historic calendar slam.
Tiger Woods came close to a true calendar sweep in 2000 and ’01, when he pulled off the ‘Tiger Slam’ by winning four consecutive majors.
Woods started with the US Open in 2000 and finished with the 2001 Masters by edging David Duval.
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And while Bobby Jones won four majors in 1930 — the British Amateur, British Open, US Open and US Amateur — he was an amateur golfer at the time.
Which means that if McIlroy finishes first at Quail Hollow again, a serious buzz will begin, especially with The Open heading to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland later this year.
A first-ever calendar slam will be in sight, and McIlroy is fresh off a career-defining Masters triumph.
Major champion Rich Beem, now a Sky Sports golf analyst, exclusively told talkSPORT that McIlroy has what it takes to accomplish a calendar slam and win the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and The Open in the same year.
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“Of course he does,” Beem said.
“I mean, I think if we’ve watched him over the years, he most certainly does.
Green looks good on McIlroyCredit: Getty
He’s had big success at Quail Hollow beforeCredit: Getty
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But another Masters winner could stand in McIlroy’s wayCredit: Getty
“Last year he had the US Open title in his sights and sadly let it slip, and we know how much that hurt him. Again, we always kind have to go back to the Masters and what that did for his confidence.
“All those disappointing finishes went out the window. Now it’s time to start building on new experiences, new wins, more wins.”
McIlroy is returning to a North Carolina course that he topped in 2010, 2015 and 2021.
He’s second in the Official World Golf Rankings, and no one doubts McIlroy’s ability to finish in 2025.
“All eyeballs should be on Rory going into Quail Hollow, considering his record there,” Beem said.
“There’s just whatever it is about it that strikes his eye and he just absolutely loves it, and is not afraid to pick it apart.”
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To record the initial two parts of a calendar slam, McIlroy must win the PGA Championship.
Beem believes that the world No. 2 has one true competitor entering the first round.
A man who stands atop the OWGR, and burned through 2024 as the best golfer on the planet.
“He just has to get past a guy named Scottie Scheffler if he wants to do it all, because Scottie still is world number one,” Beem said.
“Just completely dismantled the golf course there in Dallas (at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson). And he’s looking for more.”
