I was walking past the putting green at Portmarnock on the way to the first tee when I saw a young boy, about 10 years old, wearing an Augusta National cap.
I asked him, “Where did you get the hat?”
“I was there,” he said.
“Were you there on Saturday and Sunday?”
His eyes lit up. “I was.”
“You were there for Rory’s win?”
“Yes,” he said, adding with beautiful, youthful sincerity:
“It was the best day of my life.”
A Nation United in Celebration
It was amazing to witness the effect Rory McIlroy’s win at Augusta had across Ireland. The whole country—golfers and non-golfers alike—stayed up late to watch what may be one of the greatest sporting achievements in Irish history.
There were tears, screams, hugs, and joy. A good scribe friend of mine summed up the drama of the day perfectly in a message:
“Rory’s round ran the full gamut of a lifetime in golf—exultation, humiliation, courage under fire, choking like a dog, stupidity, genius, self-immolation, victory, loss, and redemption, all in 19 holes. Sounds like a good marriage.”
The Forgotten Storyline: Spieth’s Shot at the Grand Slam
With so much of the conversation focused on Rory’s long-awaited breakthrough, it’s gone largely unnoticed that Jordan Spieth now has a shot at joining the exclusive Grand Slam Club—if he wins the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow this week.
I had the pleasure of working with Jordan during his early days with Lagardère Sports. He’s a class act—raised right, full of integrity, and deceptively tough. Despite the boyish charm, he’s got the cojones to go all the way.
Let’s not forget, he won the Masters in 2015, wire-to-wire, with a record 18-under-par. But the following year, disaster struck: a five-shot lead evaporated on the back nine Sunday. After bogeys at 10 and 11, he suffered a quadruple-bogey on the 12th, twice finding Rae’s Creek.
At the time, I wondered if this was the moment that would break him—many greats have crumbled after similar meltdowns. But I got my answer a year later at Royal Birkdale, when he closed like a lion to beat Matt Kuchar by three. Different breed of toughness.
And just two weeks ago, he finished fourth at the Byron Nelson, chasing down the man currently dominating the game: Scottie Scheffler.
Scottie’s Silent Brilliance—and a Bit of Needle
Scheffler may not say much, but his game speaks volumes. Seven wins last year—including the Masters—and statistically, no one comes close. Arguably, that stretch of dominance rivals even Tiger in his prime.
Yet, his lack of fanfare compared to Rory seems to bother him. It was hard to miss the slight tension during the Butler Cabin ceremony—handing the green jacket to McIlroy didn’t seem to bring him much joy.
And the American crowd’s adoration for Rory might be starting to wear thin on Scottie.
Still, with only two major titles (both Masters), he has work to do before joining the legends.
Horses for Courses: Who Else to Watch at Quail Hollow
Xander Schauffele has won here before, and after bouncing back from injury, he’s looking strong. He also claimed two majors last year, including the PGA Championship.
Joaquin Niemann has been flying under the radar on LIV, but his style of play fits Quail Hollow like a glove.
Justin Thomas is a former winner at Quail Hollow and seems to be rediscovering his winning ways at just the right time.
Can Rory Do It Again?
The emotional weight lifted at Augusta was plain for all to see. The tears, the raw emotion—Rory let it all out. The monkey is off his back.
He knows, and everyone else knows, that when he’s in form, he’s the best in the world.
So—can he win the PGA Championship?
Yes.
But Scottie will be out to prove a point.
And Jordan Spieth? He’ll be chasing history.
Roddy Carr – May 2025
Further Reading
