2025 Major Championships Summary: Scheffler's Dominance and McIlroy's Grand Slam Glory

The 2025 major championship season was defined by two narratives: Scottie Scheffler's unprecedented dominance and Rory McIlroy's redemptive breakthrough. Together, these two stories shaped one of the most compelling years in modern professional golf.

The Masters Tournament: McIlroy's Long-Awaited Victory

Champion: Rory McIlroy Score: 11-under 277 (won in playoff)

After eleven years without a major championship, Rory McIlroy finally captured The Masters he had been seeking throughout his career. In a thrilling conclusion at Augusta National, McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff, holing a crucial birdie on the first extra hole.

McIlroy's victory was symbolic of more than just another major championship. At age 35, he completed the career Grand Slam—becoming only the sixth player in history to win all four major championships. He joins an exclusive group with Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

The pivotal moment came on the par-3 17th hole during the final round. From 196 yards, McIlroy struck a spectacular 8-iron to just 3 feet and converted the birdie. That shot proved to be the turning point, keeping him in contention and ultimately leading to his playoff victory.

For McIlroy's legacy, this victory represents vindication. After near-misses at Augusta (he had finished second four times), he proved he could overcome the unique challenges Augusta National presents and capture golf's most prestigious major.

The PGA Championship: Scheffler's First Wanamaker Trophy

Champion: Scottie Scheffler Score: 11-under 273 (5-stroke victory) Venue: Quail Hollow, Charlotte, North Carolina

Scottie Scheffler captured his first PGA Championship with a commanding five-stroke victory at Quail Hollow, claiming the Wanamaker Trophy for the first time. The victory represented the fourth-largest winning margin in PGA Championship history and marked Scheffler's third career major championship.

Playing with remarkable composure, Scheffler shot a final-round 71 and finished at 11-under 273. Davis Riley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau tied for second place at 6-under, five strokes behind.

The victory elevated Scheffler's 2025 season to historic status. By May, he had already demonstrated the kind of sustained excellence that defines generational talent, and the PGA Championship victory provided the first major confirmation of his dominance.

The Open Championship: Scheffler's Second Major

Champion: Scottie Scheffler Score: 17-under (4-stroke victory) Venue: Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland

Two months later, Scheffler captured his fourth career major championship at Royal Portrush with a devastating victory in The Open Championship. The 17-under total demonstrated his ability to play at the highest level on any course configuration.

Most impressively, Scheffler became just the fourth player in Open Championship history to shoot 68 or better in all four rounds, joining Collin Morikawa (2021), Henrik Stenson (2016), and Jesper Parnevik (1994).

The Royal Portrush victory proved that Scheffler's dominance was not limited to American courses. One of golf's most challenging and windswept venues couldn't slow his exceptional ball-striking and consistency.

With the 2025 Open Championship victory, Scheffler moved to within one major of completing the career Grand Slam. His only remaining goal is the U.S. Open, which he will have an opportunity to win at Shinnecock Hills in June 2026.

Scheffler's Historic Season

The contrast between Scheffler's performances was stark. In both major championships he won in 2025, he dominated fields through superior driving accuracy, approach shot execution, and mental toughness. His scoring averages and margin of victories placed him among the greatest performances in major championship history.

By winning two major championships and finishing outside the top 20 only twice throughout 2025, Scheffler established himself as the dominant force in professional golf. He captured six total PGA Tour victories and maintained the World No. 1 ranking throughout the season.

The Broader Impact

The 2025 major championship season demonstrated that golf's major competitions can be won through multiple paths. McIlroy's hard-fought, one-stroke playoff victory at Augusta contrasts sharply with Scheffler's commanding four and five-stroke victories at the PGA Championship and Open Championship.

Both victories underscore the level of competition among golf's elite. Whether through overwhelming dominance or through grit and determination in match-play situations, the quality of golf being played at the highest level continues to elevate.

Career Grand Slam Achievement

McIlroy's career Grand Slam places him among the sport's immortals. The six players to achieve this feat represent the cream of professional golf's history:

• Gene Sarazen (1935)
• Ben Hogan (1953)
• Gary Player (1965)
• Jack Nicklaus (1966)
• Tiger Woods (2002)
• Rory McIlroy (2025)

That McIlroy achieved this at age 35, after a 10-year drought in major championships, makes his accomplishment even more remarkable. It proves that longevity, persistence, and mental strength can overcome adversity at the highest level of professional sport.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 major championship season raises fascinating questions about the future of professional golf. Can Scheffler maintain his dominance through 2026? Will McIlroy, energized by his breakthrough, capture another major championship? Can other elite players—Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and others—break through and claim major championships against Scheffler's continued excellence?

The 2025 major championship season proved that professional golf remains a sport where generational talent (Scheffler) can coexist with determined veteran excellence (McIlroy) to create compelling narratives.

Summary

The 2025 major championship season will be remembered for McIlroy's redemptive breakthrough and Scheffler's unprecedented dominance—two narratives that defined modern professional golf excellence.