Lexi Thompson suggests what Rory McIlroy once did was the ‘most impressive’ thing she’s seen on the golf course

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While Rory McIlroy’s wait for a fifth major championship goes into an 11th season next year, there is no question that the Northern Irishman remains one of the biggest superstars in the game.

Rory McIlroy looked to be the player with the best chance of proving to be an heir to Tiger Woods when he emerged onto the scene. McIlroy should have won his first Masters title in 2011, but responded to that disappointment at Augusta National by blowing the field away at the US Open shortly after.

And by the end of 2014, McIlroy already had four major titles to his name. He is the only player to have won the FedEx Cup on three occasions, while he recently moved alongside Seve Ballesteros for six Order of Merit titles on the DP World Tour.

Despite the dominance of Scottie Scheffler in 2024, Tommy Fleetwood labelled McIlroy the most talented player of this generation. The 35-year-old has also won four times worldwide this year.

Lexi Thompson amazed after playing alongside Rory McIlroy

And speaking on Club Champion about the best driver she has ever seen or played with, Lexi Thompson suggested that there was something different about McIlroy.

“Probably when I played with Rory in The Match. It was the most impressive thing that I’ve ever seen. How far, how high, and just as straight,” she said.

“The height that the guys hit it in general just blows my mind.”

How McIlroy has been the best driver on the PGA Tour across the last decade

It is remarkable just how consistent McIlroy has been with the driver for well over a decade. Immediately, it was clear that his long game was a real strength, particularly with a swing that is the envy of most players on tour. Collin Morikawa previously said he does not understand some of the positions McIlroy is able to get himself into.

He has not been outside the top four on the PGA Tour for driving distance since 2016, with McIlroy even averaging 326 yards during the 2023 season.

He has been the longest hitter on the PGA Tour three times. And it would be no surprise to see him amongst the top spots once again in 2025.

Given how long it has been since McIlroy won a major, it can sometimes become easy to forget just how good he truly is. But it says everything when many of his fellow pros pick him out as the player who sets the standard.