Rory McIlroy Takes Strategic Break Before Busy Major Season
Rory McIlroy was initially scheduled to compete at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson from May 1-4. However, he has decided to step back and “recharge the batteries a little bit” instead. As a result, fans eager to see McIlroy back in action will have to wait a bit longer, until after the conclusion of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, to witness his incredible 2025 season form.
Looking ahead, McIlroy is set to return to competitive play at the Truist Championship, taking place from May 8-11. This event, hosted at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, is a familiar venue for McIlroy, and he is optimistic about his chances given his past success there. Notably, he has already claimed victory at this event four times in his career: in 2010, 2015, 2021, and most recently in 2024. As one of the premier tournaments on the PGA Tour calendar, the Truist Championship will give McIlroy an opportunity to fine-tune his game ahead of an important stretch.
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Following the Truist Championship, McIlroy will set his sights on the second men’s major of the season—the PGA Championship—beginning May 15. This major will be held at Quail Hollow Club, a venue where McIlroy boasts a remarkable track record. He clinched his first PGA Tour title there in 2010 at the Wells Fargo Championship and added additional wins at the course in 2015, 2021, and 2024. Quail Hollow has proven to be a comfortable and successful stage for McIlroy, making it an ideal venue for another major push.
After the PGA Championship, McIlroy’s schedule continues with the Canadian Open starting June 5. His summer campaign will then move to the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. Historically, McIlroy has faced challenges at major tournaments since his early career success, but 2025 has brought new optimism surrounding his game.
A key supporter of McIlroy’s resurgence is fellow professional golfer Xander Schauffele. Schauffele has expressed strong belief in McIlroy’s capabilities, calling him “scary” now that he has lifted the heavy burden of winning another major. His confidence is based on McIlroy’s stellar form throughout the 2025 season. Not only did McIlroy capture his first Masters title, but he also recorded two significant wins earlier in the year at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The PLAYERS Championship. These victories marked the first time in his career that he secured multiple wins before the first major of the season.
McIlroy’s victory at Augusta National came after a dramatic playoff battle against Justin Rose, finally ending a decade-long wait for another major title. With that pressure relieved, Schauffele predicts McIlroy could become even more dominant. Speaking about McIlroy’s resurgence, Schauffele remarked, “He is a generational talent and to do what he did is incredible for the game of golf. If that was something that was holding him back and now he feels free, that could be a pretty scary thing.”
He added that he would not be surprised to see McIlroy rattle off more major wins in quick succession, though he emphasized that he would be competing to stop him from doing so.
Schauffele’s opinion carries weight, given his own impressive achievements. Despite dealing with injuries this year, Schauffele had an outstanding 2024 season, capturing both the PGA Championship and the Open Championship titles, along with an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
As McIlroy prepares for a packed summer filled with major championships, fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if the rejuvenated Irishman can build on his momentum and solidify his place among golf’s all-time greats.