Atlanta, August 25, 2025
News Summary
Rory McIlroy concluded his PGA Tour season with a T23 finish at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, marking a mixed end to a season filled with achievements. Despite dominating off the tee, his struggles on the greens overshadowed his strong performance. Following the tournament, McIlroy quickly shifted focus to future events, including the Ryder Cup, while also attending the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, where he supported Djokovic. As he prepares for upcoming challenges, the golfer aims to refine his short game and maintain sharpness for the competitions ahead.
Atlanta — Rory McIlroy Fizzles at Tour Championship, Hops to Arthur Ashe and Eyes a Busy Back Half
Big picture
The curtain closed on Rory McIlroy’s 2025 PGA Tour season at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, and it ended with a mixed bag. The scoreboard read T23 at the Tour Championship and a final score of 6-under 274, posted with rounds of 66, 67, 70 and 71. The flash of birdies and bold tee shots was overshadowed by a persistent short-game frustration, especially on the greens.
Where it went wrong
The numbers tell a clear story: McIlroy dominated off the tee, leading the field in strokes gained off the tee, but the putter wasn’t kind. Putting was a weak link for the week, ranking only 28th in the field, and the speed of the greens continued to give him fits. After the final round, the post-round atmosphere was warm at East Lake — he received a clear nod of appreciation tied to his earlier season triumphs — but the mood was forward-looking rather than reflective. Rather than dwell on the hiccup, his media appearance focused on plans and improvements heading into a jam-packed schedule.
Season context: a banner year despite the stumble
Even with the hiccup in Atlanta, this has been one of McIlroy’s most historic seasons. He captured two major championships and completed the career Grand Slam with his first Masters victory. Beyond the majors, he notched his first Tour win of the year at the Signature Event AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and later lifted the trophy at the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Those headlines help explain the warm reception he found back at East Lake.
Quick exit to New York
No rest for the driven. McIlroy zipped off to New York City straight after the Tour Championship to catch a bit of live sport and fresh air. He was spotted in the stands at Arthur Ashe Stadium cheering on Novak Djokovic during a first-round clash versus Learner Tien. Djokovic moved through to the next round, and McIlroy took in the tennis before switching his focus back to golf and the road ahead.
What’s next: the calendar gets busy
The schedule over the coming months is stacked, with McIlroy mapping out a clear path toward the Ryder Cup and an assault on another season-long crown. He’ll tee it up at the Amgen Irish Open — an event he calls particularly meaningful because it’s his national open — before heading to the BMW PGA Championship. Both events are key steps as he pushes for a seventh Race to Dubai title. The Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black kicks off on September 26, and he plans to be sharp for that showdown. After the Ryder Cup, the plan includes the DP World India Championship in October, the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November, and a trip down under for the Australian Open in December.
What he’s focusing on
Sharpness and putting feel like the two headline tasks. With tee-to-green play flashing excellence, the short game and reading of tricky surfaces are the obvious focus. McIlroy has signaled a desire to tighten things up in the weeks leading into the Ryder Cup, the stage where good form can cascade into team momentum. Fans will be watching closely as he mixes competitive starts with practice geared toward greening up the putting touch.
Takeaway for golf fans
This season will be remembered for the majors and the career Grand Slam finish, not a single leaderboard spot. The Tour Championship result is a pause note in a symphony that’s otherwise loud and proud. With the Irish Open, BMW PGA and Ryder Cup on the near horizon, there’s plenty of reason to tune back in — and to expect a player who’ll be hungry to turn short-game struggles into a narrative of improvement.
Quick recap
- Final at Tour Championship: T23, 6-under 274 (66-67-70-71)
- Strength: Led event in strokes gained off the tee
- Weakness: Putting ranked 28th at the Tour Championship
- Season highlights: Two majors including first Masters, Players Championship, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Immediate move: Flew to New York to attend the U.S. Open tennis at Arthur Ashe Stadium
- Upcoming targets: Amgen Irish Open, BMW PGA, Ryder Cup (Bethpage Black, Sept 26), DP World India Championship, DP World Tour Championship, Australian Open
FAQ
What was Rory McIlroy’s result at the 2025 Tour Championship?
McIlroy finished tied for 23rd with a 6-under total of 274, carding rounds of 66, 67, 70 and 71.
How did McIlroy perform across different parts of his game?
He led the event in strokes gained off the tee, but putting was a clear weakness, with a putting rank of 28th in the field and struggles on faster greens.
What were the highlights of McIlroy’s 2025 season?
He won two major championships and completed the career Grand Slam by winning his first Masters. He also won at the Signature Event AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Where did McIlroy go after the Tour Championship?
He traveled to New York City to attend the U.S. Open tennis tournament and was seen at Arthur Ashe Stadium supporting Novak Djokovic in a first-round match.
What’s next on his schedule?
Planned events include the Amgen Irish Open, BMW PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black starting September 26, the DP World India Championship in October, the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November and the Australian Open in December.
Is McIlroy aiming for any season-long titles?
Yes, he is eyeing a seventh Race to Dubai title and is prioritizing form and sharpness ahead of the Ryder Cup.
Quick reference table
| Event | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Championship (East Lake) | Season finale | Finished T23, 6-under 274 (66-67-70-71); led in strokes gained off the tee; putting ranked 28th |
| U.S. Open Tennis (Arthur Ashe) | Immediately after Tour Championship | Attended and watched first-round match involving Novak Djokovic |
| Amgen Irish Open | Upcoming (national open) | Special event for him — home crowd significance |
| BMW PGA Championship | Upcoming | Key lead-up to Ryder Cup and Race to Dubai push |
| Ryder Cup (Bethpage Black) | Starts Sept 26 | Major team event; key objective for form sharpening |
| DP World India Championship | October | Part of season-ending series |
| DP World Tour Championship (Dubai) | November | Season finale opportunity; Race to Dubai implications |
| Australian Open | December | Late-season international stop |
Final note: This was a week that reminded everyone that even the best have off moments. The story now shifts to how McIlroy tunes the fine details — most notably the short game — as he chases big prizes and prepares for the Ryder Cup battle at Bethpage Black.
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Additional Resources
- New York Post
- Golf Digest
- BBC Sport
- Sky Sports
- Golf.com
- Wikipedia: Rory McIlroy
- Google Search: Rory McIlroy
- Google Scholar: Rory McIlroy
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rory McIlroy
- Google News: Rory McIlroy
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