Golf Weekly: McIlroy vs Scheffler – Who is 2025's star performer?

Odds Now golf tipster Ross Kilvington is back for his latest edition of his weekly golf column. This week, he discusses whether Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler has been the star golfer throughout 2025.

Following the conclusion of the Ryder Cup, which Europe won 15-13, in remarkable fashion, the golfing world now meanders along without much excitement over the coming months.

The FedEx Cup Fall Series is the focus of the PGA Tour until the start of 2026. Events such as the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, Bank of Utah Championship and RSM Classic hardly draw attention from the wider public – purely serving as a means to an end for the devoted PGA Tour diehards.

Meanwhile, players on the DP World Tour may have something more meaningful to play for, with the Abu Dhabi Championship and DP World Tour Championship being held in November.

Aside from this, though, things largely consist of growing anticipation for the 2026 season and what new storylines will emerge.

This year, the narrative has been driven by two incredible players who have lifted three of the four major championships on offer, while racking up plenty of other PGA Tour titles to boot.

Indeed, Scottie Scheffler faced Rory McIlroy in the Sunday singles at the Ryder Cup. Despite the two being the best in the world by a country mile, the match was more of a slugfest rather than a high-quality affair.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of arguments for both being the outstanding player of 2025.

For me, there is only one winner…

Is Scottie Scheffler the best since Tiger Woods?

That was the question everyone asked after the American won the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in July.

Of course, both McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have five majors compared to Scheffler’s four, but given his recent performances, these tallies will surely be eclipsed soon.

Even mentioning Woods’ name in the same breath as another is high praise indeed. But it’s only fair, given Scheffler has enjoyed the most dominance we have seen on the PGA Tour since that glorious Woods era.

Since lifting his first Tour title in February 2022, Scheffler has added a further 18 wins to his name, including four majors. Furthermore, he has spent over 150 weeks as the number one-ranked golfer in the world.

His points average even reached a level that hasn’t been seen since Woods in 2008, showcasing just how far ahead he has been of his peers.

The last time he finished outside the top eight of a competition was at the Players Championship back in March. Between March 30 – September 14, Scheffler won six tournaments, finished runner-up once and registered another four top-five finishes.

These are obscene, extraordinary levels of performance by the 29-year-old. If he continues this current rate of winning, there is no doubt he will edge closer and closer to Tiger’s major record.

In any other year, Scheffler would have been handed the best player award weeks ago. 2025 has been no ordinary year, though, and McIlroy has something to say about that.

Rory McIlroy has enjoyed the best year of his career

Scheffler may have won more majors this year than McIlroy, but the Northern Irishman finally completed an elusive career grand slam in April.

His US Masters win back in April was the culmination of 11 years of missed opportunities, heartbreaking setbacks and a never-say-die attitude that returned McIlroy to the pinnacle of his sport.

He may have relaxed slightly at the other three majors, however, recording just one more top-ten effort. In the end, though, he won the one that mattered, and it effectively leaves him playing with house money for the rest of his career – especially in the major championships.

Wins at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass before his Masters triumph ensured the 36-year-old got off to a flyer this year. Another Irish Open title was also added last month, nine years after his first.

Those four wins alone would certainly be enough to convince the golf purists that he, not Scheffler, should be crowned the best player of 2025.

But for me, his vital role in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black a few weeks ago is what tips the vote in his favour.

Delivering in the high-pressure moments

McIlroy is now the veteran of this European team, a role that he appears to relish.

Indeed, he contributed 3.5 points from five matches in New York, and only exhaustion prevented him from beating Scheffler in the singles, too.

The American has yet to hit 30, and it is scary to think what he can achieve over the next few years. If he remains consistent, that is.

“It’s the best year of my career, the best year of my life. I think the best year of my life on and off the course, too,” basked McIlroy after the dramatic Sunday in New York.

For me, the five-time major champion has been the greatest player of 2025.

Scheffler will surely win this accolade numerous times again if he continues on his current trajectory – and there are no signs of the American slowing down.

But the Northern Irishman has achieved golfing immortality this year – and whatever happens from now on is merely a bonus.