Rory McIlroy’s behaviour has been commented on by several PGA Championship stars
Rory McIlroy is among the most popular golfers on the PGA Tour and his contemporaries have spoken about the enjoyment they feel when competing alongside the Northern Irishman
Sharing the course with Rory McIlroy is a dream many golf enthusiasts and professional players cherish.
Since turning professional in 2007, the Northern Irish icon has offered countless memorable moments to those lucky enough to compete alongside him and shall do so again on Thursday when the PGA Championship commences.
A favourite among his peers on the PGA Tour, the 35-year-old sportsman is not only known for his incredible skill but also the camaraderie he shares with fellow competitors. His sportsmanship and intellectual approach to the game undoubtedly elevates the experience of playing in his company.
His prowess on the green is matched by his popularity off it, earning him praise from several other professionals, including the likes of Wyndham Clark, Billy Horschel, Shane Lowry, and PGA Tour caddie Derek Anderson. All have spoken highly of the Masters champion from Holywood.
Wyndham Clark
Speaking of his experiences golfing with McIlroy, Wyndham Clark reflected on his second-round pairing with the golfer during the BMW Championship held in August 2024, which Keegan Bradley eventually clinched.
Having competed alongside McIlroy previously, Clark highlighted their rapport and how it contributes to an engaging round.
Wyndham Clark admitted he has good chemistry with the Northern Irishman (Image: AP Photo/Matt York)
“Yeah, I mean, Rory and I have probably played I’d say a total of 14, 15 rounds together,” said the 31-year-old. “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,” reports .
“So I guess if that’s the case, we struck up some good conversations and had some good laughs. It kind of just makes the day a little bit more enjoyable and go by quicker.”
Derek Anderson
Former NFL quarterback Derek Anderson got a taste of pro golf life as he took on the role of caddie for PGA Tour golfer Kevin Chappell during the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Amidst the thrill of the tournament won by mcllroy and Lowry, Anderson found himself in awe of McIlroy’s prowess on the fairway.
Anderson reflected on his encounter with the five-time major champion during an episode of , saying: “It’s just different,” with reverence for McIlroy’s presence and technique. Acknowledging his past indifference, Anderson explained: “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
Recalling memories from the BMW PGA Championship in September, where Billy Horschel triumphed over McIlroy in a gripping play-off finish, Horschel was reminded of the intense competition and skill both golfers showcased during the event.
In the midst of a challenging period last year, McIlroy had to accept runner-up spots at both the US Open and the Irish Open, yet he didn’t hesitate to congratulate his rival despite the sting of narrowly missing out on titles.
“I knew how much getting edged at the US and the Irish this year hurt him,” Horschel shared with Golf monthly, moved by McIlroy’s gesture. “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
As one of McIlroy’s closest confidants, Lowry has had an outstanding 2025, breaking into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time ever.
With three top 10 finishes under his belt this year already, and having won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside his fellow countryman last month, it marked his third triumph on the PGA Tour.
Despite such successes, Lowry hasn’t managed a solo PGA Tour victory in six years. But he finds strength in McIlroy’s determination to finally don the green jacket at the Masters.
Lowry admires his friend’s persevering spirit shown in every competition and acknowledges that adopting a similar persistent approach has been rewarding. “I just think you need to be persistent,” Lowry commented before teeing off in the final round at the Truist Championship.
“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.”