It was almost there, and then—boom—it slipped away. Such has been the story of Rory McIlroy on the PGA Tour lately. The frustration is real, not only for him but for his fans, who’ve watched him come so close to victory, only for it to slip through his fingers.

2024 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster year for McIlroy. After delivering a series of significant victories, including four major championships in his career, fans held onto the hope that he may win the fifth as well. Alas! All the hopes were dashed when the golfer narrowly missed the victory, managing the 3-footer at the US Open, losing to Bryson DeChambeau. And let’s not forget the most recent miss either, where he lost a playoff chance at the Amgen Irish Open on the 18th again.

But as we reflect on McIlroy’s overall performance, here’s something that will surprise you! There are aspects in which the golfer has even surpassed the World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

If you are an avid McIlroy fan and have been following him throughout his golfing career, you know just how extraordinary his career has been. Validating this fact, Golf Digest recently took to Instagram to share an eye-opening comparison of some of the top golfers. The post delved into their “First 100 PGA Tour starts as a pro.” And boy does McIlroy beat everyone on there, including the likes of Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, and Jordan Spieth.

With four major wins, 20 top 3 finishes, 46 top 10s, 66 top 25s, and just 11 missed cuts, Rory McIlroy has had an impressive golf career. Scottie in comparison, had just 6 wins and 1 major. He also had 4 more missed cuts and 5 less top-10 finishes than the Northern Irishman.

As expected, it caught fans’ attention pretty quickly. The sentiment, “Wow Rory was good,” was widespread!

Fans stand up for Rory McIlroy despite his slump

This post by Golf Digest indeed came as a crucial one for McIlroy, as it not only elevated his image but also reminded fans why he’s still one of the sport’s greats. In the last few matches like the 2024 US Open, FedEx Cup, and Amgen Irish Open, McIlroy’s skill has been questioned.  Many have even begun calling him a ‘choker’. However, as we look at his overall golfing resume, it can be said that this may just be a rough patch. One fan summed it up perfectly with the comment, “McIlgoat,” playfully calling him the greatest of all time.

Other fans, seeing the golfer in all his glory, addressed the hate McIlroy receives. “Rory gets far too much criticism for what he’s done in the game,” wrote one, while another added. “He has done a lot of good for the game.” They couldn’t be more right. Although Tiger Woods brought golf on the map, in recent years, it’s McIlroy who’s since carried on the torch. Think about it, who’s always in the topmost running for the PIP every year? McIlroy? And who is it who was at the forefront of the PGA Tour during their battle with LIV? And now pushing for a merger. Rory McIlroy has indeed done a lot for the game that often gets overlooked.

Since as per the stats McIlroy has even surpassed World No. 1, a curious fan asked, “Who wins prime Rory or prime Scotty?” In response, another user opined by stating, “Neither were the best putters, but Scottie is better at everything except driving the ball than Rory by a mile. Rory is better at driving by a small margin.” While the user suggested it’d be close, it actually may not have been. Rors may almost certainly have crushed Scottie back in his prime days. Think about it, even now he’s competing with him, so back then he’d have been at a whole other level.

What’s your take on these stats? Tell us in the comments below.