Everyone is afraid of something you know, like spiders or roaches, but in this case, it’s a natural phenomenon called aging. You must have heard the saying: Age is just a number. Well, as it turns out, it is not, and while many people may agree with the statement, there are some who don’t. And unlike your cool aunt, the world’s 2nd best golfer, Rory McIlroy, disagrees with the statement, and it seems he is afraid. See now, the thing is, the golfer is 35 years old and has accomplished so much, 26 PGA Tour wins and 4 majors, for instance. Yet, the golfer is making some life-altering changes as he flows into the dilemma of ‘Am I too old for this.’

In the latest interview with DP World Tour Championship, the golfer talked about so many things, among which was the above matter. McIlroy revealed his plans to trim his schedule next year, but surprisingly, it’s the American events that will take the hit, rather than the DP World Tour. McIlroy emphasized that he won’t be missing key tournaments in the Middle East, Wentworth, the Irish Open, or The Scottish Open.

Instead, he’ll be scaling back on certain events in the United States that he doesn’t typically participate in. At 35 years old and with 17-18 years of tour experience under his belt, McIlroy acknowledged the importance of taking care of his body. Joking about his growing grey hairs, he recognized that his current pace of 27 events per year might be unsustainable. “But yeah, I have to remember, I’m 35 now. I’m not 23. I’m knocking on it a little bit. I’ve got the grey hairs to prove it,” he said during the media appearance.

With a focus on long-term sustainability, McIlroy aims to reduce his schedule to 22-23 events annually. This strategic decision prioritizes his well-being and sets him up for continued success in the golf world. “I just have to take care of myself and take care of my body a little bit more, and 27 events this year is maybe a touch too many,” he said. The golfer may think that he is getting old, but that does not stop him from jumping into controversies or, in this case, making one.

Rory McIlroy believes that Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have separated themselves ‘from the pack’

Rory McIlroy has set his sights on 2025, and a major resurgence is at the top of his agenda. The world No. 3 is eager to end his 11-year drought in majors, but he’s also drawing inspiration from the success of Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. “They certainly separated themselves from the pack this year,” McIlroy acknowledged. Scheffler’s Masters victory and Schauffele’s PGA Championship and British Open wins have raised the bar, and McIlroy is determined to emulate their achievements.

Can McIlroy bridge the gap between himself and golf’s top two? He’s painfully aware that his major tally remains stuck at four, despite a heartbreaking near-miss at the U.S. Open. With Scheffler and Schauffele setting the pace, McIlroy recognizes the challenge ahead. “Incredibly consistent again. I think I’ve been really proud of that over the last few years. But then at the same time, you know, thinking about the ones that got away. I could be sitting up here with a fifth major title and I am not,” he reflected.

Now, McIlroy seeks to channel that motivation into a strong 2025, one that could see him join the elite ranks of Scheffler and Schauffele. The stage is set for an epic battle among golf’s heavyweights.