Winter 2025

Rory McIlroy Overcomes Hazards Ready to Defend His AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Title B Y A L EX HU L AN I CK I S tanding on the 18th tee of Pebble Beach Golf Links last February, Rory McIlroy had a decision to make—wow spec- tators with a risky drive on the fairway adjacent to Carmel Bay or play it safe. He played it conservatively, hitting a 5-iron onto the imposing fairway, laying up and knocking a short pitch shot onto the green for a par and a two-stroke victory. He pocketed $3.6 million for the win over Shane Lowry. It was McIlroy’s first appearance on the PGA Tour in 2025, his first win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and a momen- tous start to a much-heralded and bumpy year as he navigated obstacles on and off the course. He went on to win the Players Championship in a three-way playoff at TPC Sawgrass in March and his first Masters at Augusta National in April, thus com- pleting the career Grand Slam (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship). The crowning achievement for the 36 year old was leading the European Ryder Cup team with 3.5 points to a 15-13 victory over the USA team at Bethpage Black in NewYork in September. But he also was embroiled in a divorce filing and reconciliation with his wife and the ongoing rift between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Tour. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 5 107