Rory McIlroy has spent his career going up against some of golf’s top names, but the sport never really got a true rivalry out of it.
McIlroy has certainly had his share of notable matchups. In 2025, his competition with Scottie Scheffler for the world’s top spot is clear, but even that doesn’t quite fit the bill of a classic rivalry.
There are some who point to Bryson DeChambeau as a rival, especially after their tense exchange at The Masters. But with both players now on separate tours, there isn’t much chance for that story to develop further.
All this makes it feel like the game missed out on what could have been one of its most interesting rivalries: Rory McIlroy versus three-time major champion Jordan Spieth.
Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth: a rivalry that never really materialised
Both Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy arrived on the scene with a lot of noise and early wins, quickly establishing themselves among the sport’s best.
Spieth won three majors within his first four seasons, capping that run with The Open in 2017. McIlroy already had four majors under his belt by the time he turned 25, having added the PGA Championship and The Open in 2014.
Back then, after Spieth picked up his first major in 2015, there was plenty of talk that these two might shape golf for years to come. But it never quite played out that way.
Spieth hasn’t added another major since then, while McIlroy only ended his own drought recently by winning The Masters in 2025 to complete his career Grand Slam.
In between those points, there were plenty of reasons to think they’d end up dominating at least a few seasons together. But their careers have rarely lined up at the same time when it mattered most.
Looking ahead to 2026, both remain big names on tour, though their paths have diverged somewhat. McIlroy is still firmly inside the top two in the world rankings.
Spieth’s recent form has been less steady though. He’s now approaching four years without a win, struggling to find any rhythm since then.
Jordan Spieth reflects on the Rory McIlroy rivalry that never was
When Spieth captured The Masters in 2015 by four shots, he became the talk of golf. McIlroy had been in a similar position just a year earlier, so it was no surprise that talk of a potential rivalry began to surface. Spieth, though, was quick to play down those comparisons after his win at Augusta.
“Yeah, I think it’s great. There’s an incredible amount of young talent. Guys are coming out and winning quickly, and a lot. We’re all very respectful of each other. We all root for each other. And it’s not like I’m out there with Patrick Reed saying I hope he misses his putt,” Spieth said at the time.
“It’s, I hope I make this, and I hope I make two in a row on top. That’s just kind of the mentality we all have as younger guys coming out now.”
Spieth went on to praise how modern junior and amateur golf had prepared players better than ever before:
“More comfortable that junior golf tours, college golf, amateur golf has grown and it’s gotten much better and that’s the reason you’re seeing it… It has to do with great overall preparation through these different tours now where you kind of almost play it like a PGA Tour event the way it’s structured.”
Asked specifically about McIlroy and whether there could be a rivalry forming between them, Spieth spoke highly of him: “As far as with Rory… He carries that world number one with class,” he said.
While Spieth never quite delivered on early expectations in terms of major wins after 2015, his impact on the game is still significant—McIlroy himself admitted how much he admires him.
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The rivalry may never have fully materialised on paper or in major championships but their presence continues to drive storylines across the sport.
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