Five Reasons Why 2025 Could Be Rory Mcllroy’s Year

Rory Mcllroy has had one of the most decorated careers in golf. But despite his numerous wins, there’s still that one thing eluding him: a major victory since 2014. Yet, as we look ahead to 2025, there’s a strong case to be made that this could finally be the year Rory adds another major to his golf player resume. Let’s break down why everything is aligning for him.

Source: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

The Swing is in Sync

We’ve seen Rory Mcllroy go through ups and downs in terms of his swing over the years. But it’s clear that his golf game has found a new rhythm since the start of 2025. His ball striking, particularly with the driver, has been as good as it ever has been. Rory’s been hitting the ball with incredible distance and accuracy. And when he’s dialled in off the tee, like he showed at Pebble Beach, he’s nearly impossible to beat. His ability to keep the ball in play, combined with his power, means he has the tools to take on any course this year.

The New Generation of Golfers

One of the interesting things about Rory Mcllroy’s career is that while he’s been one of the top golf players in the world for over a decade, he’s now facing a new generation of golfers who are hungry for their own victories. That competitive edge might just be the spark he needs. With golf players like Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Ludvig Åberg coming into their own, Rory could tap into that extra drive. With that he can show the younger crowd that he’s still a force to be reckoned with.

Course Familiarity

Rory has always excelled on certain golf courses, and many of the upcoming major venues are places where he’s had success before. With courses like Quail Hollow and Royal Portrush on the schedule, Rory knows how to navigate himself around these courses. Also, he has a history of performing well on them. His past success at these venues provides him with confidence. He knows how to tackle these major championship setups.

A Desire to Cement His Legacy

At this stage in his career, Rory isn’t just looking to win for the sake of winning. He’s chasing something much bigger. It’s the chance to solidify his place in the history books as one of the game’s all-time greats. This hunger could fuel his performance in 2025.

No Pressure—Just Golf

Rory’s also been talking about how he’s been focusing on enjoying the golf game again, and that mindset shift could be huge for him. Golf, especially at the highest level, can be exhausting mentally, and sometimes he has been caught up in the pressure of winning another major. By embracing the joy of the game, Rory might be able to approach the majors with a fresh, relaxed perspective that allows him to perform at his best.

Here’s hoping that 2025 will be Rory Mcllroy’s year to take home another piece of golfing history!

Will Buttleman is VPAR’s Social Media and Events Manager.

A former professional cricketer, Will played for Essex County Cricket Club from 2018 to 2023 before joining the VPAR team in 2024. During his cricket career, he competed in First Class, List A, and T20 matches, contributing to the club’s recent successes.
Now, Will’s focus has shifted to golf. He plays off a VPAR Handicap of 4.5 and is aiming to reach scratch in the near future. His favourite course is Poppy Hills, a hidden gem just above Pebble Beach, and his top venue to work at is Waterville Golf Links in County Kerry, Ireland.
Whether you’re seeking top golfing destinations, a fresh perspective on the ever-changing professional game, or betting tips for major events, Will offers valuable insights. For him, golf is more than just a sport – it’s a lifestyle, and he loves sharing that passion with the VPAR community.

Why does Matt Fitzpatrick Chip Cross-Handed?

Matt Fitzpatrick Chiping Cross-Handed

Cross-handed chipping has gained popularity among professional golfers like Matt Fitzpatrick. It provides a few distinct advantages that help with consistency and precision in short-game shots. Here’s why it has caught on.

Stability and Control

In the cross-handed grip (also called left-hand-low for right-handed players), the lead hand takes a more dominant position. It can stabilize the wrist and reduce unwanted flipping or scooping of the club at impact.

This leads to more consistent contact and better control over the ball’s trajectory.

Simplifies Technique

By keeping the wrists quieter, cross-handed chipping promotes a pendulum-like motion similar to putting. This reduces the complexity of the stroke and helps players focus on consistent mechanics.

Many golfers struggle with “yippy” or jerky movements in chipping. Cross-handed chipping addresses this issue by limiting excessive wrist action.

Improved Clubface Control

With the lead hand controlling the motion, players often find it easier to keep the clubface square to the target throughout the swing. This can improve accuracy and predictability.

Confidence Booster

The technique provides a structured, repeatable method for chipping, which can inspire confidence, especially under pressure.

Influence from Putting

Cross-handed putting is already a popular grip among many professional golfers. Hence, its application in chipping feels natural for those accustomed to this grip in putting.

Why Matt Fitzpatrick and Others Adopted It

Matt Fitzpatrick has been known to experiment with various techniques to improve consistency. His adoption of cross-handed chipping highlights his focus on refining his short game, and it has influenced other players and amateurs to explore this style.

The rise in adoption reflects a broader trend in golf toward exploring unorthodox methods that can provide measurable benefits.

However, while cross-handed chipping may not suit everyone, it’s an excellent option for golfers looking to eliminate inconsistency in their short-game mechanics. Have you tried it yourself?

Niall Ashworth is VPAR’s Business Development Manager.

A golf industry stalwart, Niall has spent the majority of his career helping Corporates and Charities take their guests Golf Day experience to the next level having run 1,000+ events in countries around the World.
Niall attended Nottingham Trent University, where he studied Business and Sport, before working at the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
He spends any free time he has on the fairways of Worplesdon Golf Club in Surrey trying to maintain his 6.1 Handicap Index! His three favourite Golf Courses are Clearwater Bay in Hong Kong, Torrey Pines in San Diego and Trump International in Scotland. With special mentions to Sentosa and Kingsbarns!
He uses a Taylormade M4 Driver & Fairway Woods, Titleist T100 irons, Titleist Vokey Wedges and a Bettinardi Arm-Lock putter with a Left Dash ProV1 Golf Ball (not that it matters!)
If you have any feature requests or golf news that you’d like Niall to review please contact him @vpargolf across socials!