Sharing the links with Rory McIlroy is a golfer’s dream, and countless enthusiasts have savored that dream since the Northern Irishman stepped into the pro golf scene in 2007.
Recognized as one of the darlings of the PGA Tour, the 35-year-old has endured fierce competition with his peers. Nonetheless, they’ve been outspoken about the pleasure of playing alongside him.
Fellow golfers often commend McIlroy for his intellectual approach to the game and his graceful demeanor on the course, qualities that have only enhanced his status following his recent Masters triumph.
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McIlroy isn’t lacking admiration from his fellow pros; familiar faces like Wyndham Clark, Billy Horschel, Shane Lowry, and even rookie PGA Tour caddie Derek Anderson have expressed high praise for the Holywood native.
Wyndham Clark
Speaking of Wyndham Clark, he found himself in McIlroy’s company during the second round of the BMW Championship back in August 2024 – an event that ended with Keegan Bradley lifting the trophy, reports the Mirror US.
Having already shared the tee box in previous outings, it was disclosed by Clark post-round that he and McIlroy boast a natural rapport, making any tournament day with him all the more delightful.
“Yeah, I mean, Rory and I have probably played I’d say a total of 14, 15 rounds together,” Clark said. “Rory is a nice guy, and I typically, my demeanour, I like to talk to my playing partners. It helps me get into a better place.”
Derek Anderson
Ex-NFL quarterback Derek Anderson relished his stint as a PGA Tour caddie and was particularly impressed with the five-time major champion’s prowess and demeanor.
During the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, won by McIlroy and his partner Shane Lowry, the 14-year NFL alum took up caddie duties for Kevin Chappell. He confessed on GOLF’s Subpar podcast that he was awestruck not just by McIlroy’s skillset but also by his presence on the green.
“It’s just different,” Anderson observed about McIlroy. “The sound’s different. Kinda the way he goes about it. I kinda was never a huge Rory guy. I’ve always like him and [been] impressed with his game, but the way that he carries himself, what he’s doing on the golf course; there’s an intent.
“You can see [him thinking], ‘I’m the guy, my bag goes here, I’m gonna whack it,’ and he wants to have some of that Tiger intimidation. But he doesn’t act like it. He’s confident in what he’s doing. Just kinda the way he goes about it, the way he hits it.”
Billy Horschel
Meanwhile, Billy Horschel recounted his gripping face-off with McIlroy at last September’s BMW PGA Championship, where the American triumphed in a nail-biting play-off finish.
McIlroy, who had a rocky few months last year with runner-up finishes at both the US Open and Irish Open, didn’t let his string of near wins dampen his sportsmanship. In the wake of several close calls that left him trophyless, he still found the grace to extend congrats to the 38-year-old victor.
Speaking to Golf Monthly, Horschel expressed the depth of McIlroy’s disappointment: “I knew how much getting edged at the US and the Irish this year hurt him. So I could appreciate how he must have felt when my eagle putt went in, just after his own eagle try burned the hole.
“But the way he looked at me and gave me a little smile, and then congratulated me later, meant so much to me. I think that just showed he is one of the classiest golfers of this generation, as well as the most talented.”
Shane Lowry
Meanwhile, Shane Lowry, one of McIlroy’s good friends, has had quite the brilliant 2025 himself, cracking into the world top 10 for the first time ever in his career.
This year alone, he’s snagged three top 10 spots and last month triumphed at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with his mate McIlroy – marking his third PGA Tour title win.
Despite flourishing lately, Lowry hasn’t managed to secure an individual PGA Tour victory in six years. However, taking inspiration from McIlroy’s relentless pursuit of the Masters and determination in competition, Lowry remains optimistic about his chances.
Before hitting the green for the final round at the Truist Championship, he shared his philosophy: “I just think you need to be persistent,” Lowry stated. “You need to keep putting yourself there, and eventually it will happen.
“You look at Rory at the Masters a few weeks ago. Keep knocking on the door, and eventually you’ll go through it. I feel like I’ve done a good job of it this season, last season.”
