IN A thrilling conclusion last Sunday at the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Rory McIlroy delivered a masterclass performance, clinching his 27th PGA Tour victory with a final-round 66.
When Rory is hot with the putter, he is pretty much unbeatable. His flawless play and putting on the iconic Pebble Beach course secured a comfortable two-shot win over fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, setting an electrifying tone for the golfing season ahead.
Looking at this form so early in the season it is exciting to think this year could be finally the year we have been waiting on for Rory. Every aspect of his game looked confident and his demeanour looks a lot happier out there.
I also believe playing with Shane in the last group helped both players to enjoy the final round and take away a lot of the added pressure you get in a final round. Both Shane and Rory looked like they were just out playing a practice round together and shooting the breeze like the old amateur days. This is when players seem to play at their best, when they are playing with little to no tension which was definitely helped by being drawn together in the final round last Sunday.
Shane and Rory had the excitement of hole-in-ones on two iconic courses on their opening round on Thursday which no doubt helped to settle their nerves early for the week. It was super fun to watch the Irish boys when they are in full flight out there.
Entering the final day, McIlroy and Lowry trailed leader Sepp Straka by one stroke. However, the Northern Irishman showcased his resilience and skill, particularly on the back nine.
A pivotal moment came at the par-5 14th hole, where McIlroy’s strategic play taking on the high tree with the driver again carved a huge slice around the dogleg which led to a decisive eagle, propelling him into a dominant lead.
He maintained this momentum, finishing the round at six under par, bringing his total to 21-under for the tournament comfortably finishing his round with three straight pars.
Lowry, McIlroy’s compatriot and close friend, also exhibited commendable form throughout the tournament. Despite a valiant effort, including a final-round 65 shooting -5 also on his back nine, Lowry couldn’t match McIlroy’s impeccable performance and settled for second place at 19-under.
Notably, during the final round, Lowry’s drive on the 15th hole inadvertently struck a course marshal. Fortunately, the marshal was not seriously injured, but the incident highlighted the intense pressures and unpredictable nature of the game.
McIlroy’s victory at Pebble Beach not only adds another prestigious title to his illustrious career but also signals a promising year ahead. With this win, he has set a high standard for the 2025 season, demonstrating that he remains a formidable force in the golfing world.
Looking forward, McIlroy has outlined several key ambitions for the year. Foremost among them is his pursuit of a career Grand Slam, with a particular focus on securing his first Masters title at Augusta National. Achieving this would place him among the elite golfers who have won all four major championships.
McIlroy has announced plans to streamline his schedule, by reducing the number of events he participates in, he aims to maintain peak physical and mental condition, ensuring he remains “fresher for bigger tournaments.” This strategic approach was something Tiger also focussed on as his career progressed.
As these top players no longer play for financial reasons, they can be a lot more selective about their diary fixtures focussing on peaking at the right times for the major tournaments.
Getting the balance between having enough rest to stay fresh and having enough tournament practice is definitely a fine line that is difficult to measure.
