Professional golfer says what Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods can do which Scottie Scheffler simply cannot match

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Rory McIlroy is off to winning ways on the PGA Tour in 2025, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on his first start of the season.

McIlroy thinks he is close to his best after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his first success at the iconic Californian venue.

Four-time major champion McIlroy now has 27 PGA Tour wins to his name, having edged out Shane Lowry by two shots on Sunday.

McIlroy finished on 21-under at Pebble Beach, with Lowry taking solo second as Justin Rose and Lucas Glover tied for third.

World number one Scottie Scheffler meanwhile, on his return from a hand injury, finished T9 on 15-under.

Eddie Pepperell singles out golfing ability of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods

McIlroy’s win has now caught the eye of two-time DP World Tour winner Eddie Pepperell, who has praised the Northern Irishman and indeed legendary figure on the latest episode of The Chipping Forecast podcast.

“What I like about that is that was in the context of him playing more disciplined golf and him pushing the accelerator when he can, because he can, and using it to great effect,” said Pepperell.

“That’s the way Tiger [Woods] used to separate himself. Rory and Tiger are probably the only two players in the golf game who can do things with a golf ball that nobody else can do.

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“You could argue Jon Rahm, maybe Bryson [DeChambeau], but Tiger still played with exemplary levels of discipline and then it was those moments where he would excel for a six or three-hole stretch and just accelerate away from the field.

“Scottie Scheffler has not got what Rory has got, but Rory is clearly trying to implement the disciplined nature of what Scottie Scheffler has got and if Rory continues to do that in the way he did at Pebble Beach, in conditions which weren’t necessarily well suited to his game, the signs are great.”

Can Rory McIlroy finally end decade-long wait for elusive fifth major in 2025?

McIlroy loves how disciplined Scheffler is, with that characteristic having undoubtedly helped the latter win seven PGA Tour titles in 2024.

Both he and McIlroy are now up and running for 2025, and could play out an intriguing battle over the coming season.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy posts message on Instagram after winning the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach

Only Xander Schauffele separates the two in the world rankings, although he is another who is certain to challenge for trophies once more this time around.

Schauffele missed the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am through injury, but remains a formidable foe after winning the PGA Championship and The Open Championship last year.

McIlroy came agonisingly close to an elusive fifth major and first since 2014 at the US Open, but it was DeChambeau who narrowly came out on top at Pinehurst.

And completing American dominance in 2024 was Scheffler thanks to his Masters win, but McIlroy is now in a superb position to really challenge for the biggest titles in 2025.