Rory McIlroy showcased his skills and strategic play to dominate the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, relying on insights from Scottie Scheffler to secure his triumph.
Following Scottie Scheffler’s remarkable 2024 season, where he won nine tournaments, McIlroy has been closely monitoring his performance. One of Scheffler’s significant wins took place at Augusta National, a venue that has thwarted McIlroy’s quest for a career grand slam. With the upcoming Masters in April, McIlroy hopes to conquer past challenges.
To achieve this, McIlroy understands the importance of minimizing mistakes, adopting a conservative approach, and maintaining a consistent short game—key factors that contributed to his recent success at the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He delivered an impressive performance on Sunday, shooting a 6-under 66 to claim his 27th PGA Tour title. McIlroy’s strategic play was evident when he executed a stunning tee shot on the challenging 571-yard 14th hole, setting up an eagle and finishing two strokes ahead of Shane Lowry, who also made a hole-in-one during the first round.
Despite finishing six shots ahead of Scheffler, McIlroy expressed admiration for the World No. 1. He acknowledged the influence Scheffler has had on his game, aiming to replicate the discipline and strategy that has defined Scheffler’s success.
“I greatly admire Scottie for numerous reasons,” McIlroy remarked. “Observing his disciplined play and strategic decisions is inspiring. Choosing conservative targets and clubs, along with improving my short game, are crucial steps for me. Last year, my short game lacked consistency, oscillating between good and bad weeks.”
Statistics reveal that while McIlroy’s short game is solid—ranking 17th on tour with a 64% success rate in getting up and down—his struggles at pivotal moments, including the U.S. Open, remind him that consistent short game performance is vital for overcoming his 11-year major championship drought.
“This journey is about maximizing my potential,” McIlroy stated. “If I can perform at my best consistently, the world rankings and victories will follow. Scottie has been exemplary in our sport, and while I’ve been close, there’s still room for improvement. This motivates me to strive for excellence and reclaim my position as the top player.”
How does McIlroy plan to optimize his performance moving forward?
“By focusing on doing the right things daily—consistency, discipline, proper sleep, nutrition, practice, recovery, and balancing other interests outside of golf,” he elaborated. “Cumulatively, these elements will contribute to my success.”
