Rory McIlroy Eyes Golf Immortality With Historic Calendar Grand Slam Pursuit
Rory McIlroy has already cemented his legacy in golf history by completing a career Grand Slam—joining an elite group that includes legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. But even with such a monumental achievement under his belt, expectations remain high. Many fans and analysts now believe McIlroy has the potential to go a step further and secure the rare calendar Grand Slam, winning all four major championships in a single season.
This discussion gained more traction following comments from Wyndham Clark during an interview with Sky Sports Golf. Clark shared his admiration for McIlroy’s accomplishments, noting the prestige that comes with winning five majors. “When someone gets their fifth major, they enter a different class,” Clark said. He compared McIlroy’s success to that of other top golfers like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, pointing out that even greats like Phil Mickelson have yet to complete a career Grand Slam.
Clark’s remarks highlight just how challenging and significant McIlroy’s achievement is. Phil Mickelson, despite having six major titles, has never won the U.S. Open. Jordan Spieth is missing a PGA Championship win, and Justin Thomas still needs victories at the Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open to join the career Grand Slam club. So far, only six men have achieved this feat: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy.
History is made. The career Grand Slam is complete. pic.twitter.com/iRntMwFVbg
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 14, 2025
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, McIlroy is now focused on accomplishing what even Tiger Woods couldn’t—winning all four majors in a single calendar year. Woods came close with what’s known as the “Tiger Slam,” winning four consecutive majors between 2000 and 2001, but not within the same season. Jordan Spieth also nearly pulled it off in 2015, winning the Masters and U.S. Open before falling short at The Open Championship.
Having already claimed the first major of 2025, McIlroy is heading into the PGA Championship with strong momentum—and an even stronger track record at Quail Hollow, this year’s host venue. McIlroy has won at Quail Hollow four times: in 2010, 2015, 2021, and 2024. His debut PGA Tour win came there in 2010, where he also set a course record of 62 in the final round. He later shattered his own record with a 61 in 2015—still the lowest round ever recorded on the course.
His comfort level at Quail Hollow was on full display during the 2024 Truist Championship, where he shot rounds of 67, 68, 67, and 65 to claim victory by five strokes over Scottie Scheffler. That week, McIlroy led in multiple statistical categories, including Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and Driving Distance—averaging a massive 337 yards. He also led in total drives over 325 and 350 yards, while ranking second in Greens in Regulation and Proximity to the Hole.
The layout of Quail Hollow rewards powerful drivers, making it an ideal course for McIlroy. His average of 1.55 Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee per round at this venue places him among the elite. Paired with improvements in his wedge game, McIlroy seems poised to capitalize on every advantage the course offers.
As the golf world turns its attention to the PGA Championship, the question remains: Can Rory McIlroy pull off one of the rarest feats in the sport and complete the elusive calendar Grand Slam?